14 Bodies Found on Abandoned Boat in Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Forensic teams in the Dominican Republic are working to identify the remains of at least 14 decomposed bodies discovered on an abandoned boat located 10 nautical miles off the northern coast. The Dominican Republic Navy reported that the skeletons are believed to belong to individuals from Senegal and Mauritania, based on documentation found alongside the remains. Investigators are also focused on determining the cause and timing of the deaths, as well as analyzing 12 packages found on the vessel that may contain illicit drugs, likely cocaine or heroin. The Atlantic route from West Africa to the European Union is notorious for its dangers, with many migrants risking their lives in search of better opportunities. Boats that veer off course can be lost to the treacherous Atlantic trade winds and currents, often drifting for months. Tragically, many aboard these vessels succumb to dehydration and malnutrition, while others have been known to jump overboard in desperation. An investigation by the Associated Press last year highlighted the grim reality, revealing that at least seven boats from northwest Africa were found in the Caribbean and Brazil in 2021, all carrying deceased individuals. The remains discovered in the Dominican Republic are currently undergoing analysis by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) in Santiago, the nation’s second-largest city. Nairobi Viloria, a spokeswoman for the Attorney General’s Office, confirmed the ongoing forensic work. Additionally, the substance found on the boat is being tested by laboratories operated by the country’s anti-drug agency, as stated by Carlos Devers, a spokesman for the National Directorate of Drug Control.