Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating the discovery of 11 bodies in a boat on the shore on Little Bay, Canouan.

In a video message, Police Superintendent Junior Simmons said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, and some were not fully intact.

He also noted that several passports, which appear to be from Mali, were recovered at the scene.

Mr Simmons said the remains had been transported to mainland St. Vincent pending further forensic and investigative procedures.