Authorities in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis have launched an investigation after discovering a partially submerged boat containing at least 19 bodies.

Authorities in the eastern Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis said Thursday they are investigating the circumstances that led to the discovery of at least 19 bodies found drifting at sea.

A vessel drifting in the Caribbean Sea contained 19 badly decomposed bodies, at least some from Mali, authorities in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis announced on Wednesday.

At least 19 people were found dead on a boat in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday morning, authorities said. The aimless vessel was located near the eastern Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis around 11:30 a.m., the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard said. It was spotted near the smaller, southeastern island of Nevis in the two-island nation.

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