"Deepest condolences to the families" - Caribbean officials speak out as 19 people found dead on boat

On January 29, around 11:30 in the morning, the St.Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard received a report about a half-sunken vessel floating southwest of Nevis, according to a press release. When the police brought the boat to the Coast Guard base, they discovered 19 bodies on it.

The incident is being investigated by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF). Commissioner of Police, James Sutton spoke to Associated Press and expressed his condolences,

"The RSCNPF extends its deepest condolences to the families and communities affected by this tragedy."

Sharing further details about the discovery of the boat, he said,

“It was a fishing vessel, which is not typically found in the Caribbean, We are not certain, but we believe that this vessel originated off the West African coast."

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What we know about the bodies discovered on the boat

The authorities suspect that the fishing vessel had been drifting for quite a long time as the 19 bodies onboard had almost reached the final stages of decomposition. Police also believe that all the deceased had died before the vessel entered the St.Kitts and Nevis waters.

A thorough investigation of the incident is being carried out by the Royal St.Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF). Authorities are investigating the identities of all the 19 passengers along with the reason that led to their deaths.

Some of the people who were onboard the fishing vessel also had their identification documents. The documents proved that they belonged to Mali, a country in West Africa, located at a distance of 3,850 miles from St.Kitts and Nevis.

According to the Associated Press, Police Commissioner, James Sutton said that the decomposition of the bodies had made it even more difficult for the police to uncover identities of the deceased. He also urged locals to co-operate and report information that would contribute to the investigation.

"We urge anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact the nearest Police station soonest"

It is the first time in a while that such an incident has appeared in the history of the twin-island nation.