Discovery of 13 Decomposing Bodies in St Kitts and Nevis Raises Concerns About Migrant Safety

The coastguard in St Kitts and Nevis has made a grim discovery, locating 13 decomposing bodies aboard a boat that was found drifting off the coast. This discovery came shortly after five bodies were uncovered in a skiff near Trinidad and Tobago, raising serious concerns about the safety of migrants in the region.

Cromwell Henry, the deputy commissioner of police in St Kitts and Nevis, reported that the bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition, making it difficult to ascertain details such as the age or gender of the victims. The uncrewed vessel has been towed to shore, and an investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In a parallel incident, earlier in the week, authorities responded to a report near Trinidad and Tobago that led to the recovery of a skiff, which contained the remains of five deceased individuals. This vessel was reportedly in very poor condition and sank while being transported. Officials noted that there was a strong similarity between this skiff and another boat found in 2021, which had 15 bodies aboard, suggesting a recurrent issue with migrant vessels potentially drifting from the African coast.