CANOUAN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines — Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have recovered 11 bodies from an abandoned boat that washed ashore on Canouan Island, according to a statement released by local police on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Officials reported that passports from the West African nation of Mali were found among the deceased, raising concerns that the victims were likely part of a migrant group attempting to cross the Atlantic. The exact origin and intended destination of the boat remain under investigation.
This discovery marks the latest in a series of maritime tragedies involving West African migrants. In January, authorities in St. Kitts and Nevis recovered 19 bodies aboard a similar vessel, also carrying identification documents from Mali. A 2021 investigation by the Associated Press detailed another tragic incident, in which more than a dozen bodies were found on a boat near Trinidad and Tobago, believed to have been part of a group that departed Mauritania aiming for Spain’s Canary Islands, but drifted far off course.
Authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are working with regional and international partners to identify the victims and determine the circumstances surrounding the voyage. While no survivors have been reported, forensic examinations and coordination with West African consulates are underway to assist in the identification process and notify next of kin.
The incident highlights ongoing risks associated with irregular transatlantic migration, as migrants increasingly turn to perilous sea routes in hopes of reaching Europe or the Americas. Experts warn that such journeys, often made in unseaworthy vessels with limited navigation, food, or water, are leading to a rise in unreported deaths and disappearances at sea.
Authorities have not confirmed whether human trafficking or organized smuggling networks were involved in this case, but investigations are continuing.
Image for illustrative purposes only
