The bodies of 20 people were found floating on a boat in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday. What killed the group is yet to be determined by authorities.
According to Business Insider SA, the boat was located by fishermen. It was spotted drifting just over 1.5 kilometres off the Grand Turk. According to the Associated Press, the marine branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were alerted.
Though the deaths remain unexplained, it has been said that no foul play seems to be on the cards.
“Work is now underway to establish their identity, the cause of death and the circumstances that led them to be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands waters,” the press release said.
It is believed, as per the Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting, that the vessel came from outside the Caribbean region. It is alleged that neither the Turks and Caicos Islands, nor its surrounding region, were the intended destination.
“My investigators are working to establish their identities and how they met their death. This work will take some time to complete,” he said.
“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.”
According to reports, stray boats in the region are not uncommon. There have often been migrants intercepted in the waters around Turks and Caicos, according to the AP.
This appears to be startlingly accurate, as just one hour after the press release on Friday, another mystery boat was spotted with 43 Haitian migrants on board.
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