Mon, 28 June, 2021, 3:48 PM
CURRENT AFFAIRS
20 DEAD BODIES FOUND ON BOAT
Mon, Jun 28, 2021
The boat (right) on which the dead bodies were found (Photo by Moses Carter)
Mystery surrounds the discovery of 20 decomposed bodies on a boat off the island capital of Grand Turk on Thursday, June 24th, 2021
Public Affairs Officer of the Royal Turk and Caicos Islands Police Force Takara Bain said police are trying establish their identity, the cause of death and the circumstances that led them to be found in the
Turks and Caicos Islands waters.
"Whilst the deaths are unexplained, there is no indication of foul play, and investigators are keeping an open mind as to how these people met their deaths," she said in a press statement.
Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said, "It is believed that the boat originated from outside of the
Caribbean region and that neither the
Turks and Caicos Islands nor the region was their intended
destination. My investigators are working to establish their identities and how they met their death. This
work will take some time to complete. Whatever the circumstances, this is a tragic situation where many people have
lost their lives, and the thoughts and prayers of the Force go out to those families who have
lost a loved one. We will do all we can to identify them and contact their families."
Commissioner Botting's assessment that the vessel originated from outside the Caribbean region, has led to speculation that it may have been from the
west coast of
Africa and drifted across the Atlantic.
Commissioner Botting added, "In dealing with this situation, I want to pay tribute to my policing team on Grand Turk and those from
Health and other TCIG agencies who assisted in the recovery of the bodies. This incident was a human tragedy and a very distressing scene. However, my officers have acted with professionalism, humanity and care in the very upsetting
work they did yesterday to recover those who have died. I thank them for a job well done for the humanity and professionalism they have shown".
On Wednesday there were widespread reports that the remains on the remains on the boat were from persons from the
Dominican Republic on their way to
Miami who had drifted from The
Bahamas.
This was however dismissed, as it is highly unlikely that a vessel heading from The
Bahamas to
Florida would have drifted to Turks and Caicos Islands, which is south east of The Bahamas, and especially to Grand Turk which is far east.
https://suntci.com/dead-bodies-found-on-boat-p6416-129.htm