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

At around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard responded to a report of a drifting vessel off the coast of Nevis. The partially submerged boat contained decomposed human remains. It was towed to St. Kitts, where police and medical officials are conducting investigations.