Fact Check: Bodies washing up on the shores of other countries with their bodies in chains

Fact-Check Article: "Bodies washing up on the shores of other countries with their bodies in chains"

What We Know

Recent reports have highlighted tragic incidents involving the discovery of migrant bodies in various locations, including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea. In one notable case, eleven bodies believed to be migrants were found in a boat washed ashore on the Caribbean island of Canouan in May 2025. These individuals are thought to have originated from Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa. Authorities noted that several passports found at the scene indicated their nationality. The UN Refugee Agency's spokesperson suggested that these migrants likely intended to reach the Canary Islands, rather than the Caribbean, due to the small size of the boat.

In another incident, Spanish authorities reported the discovery of multiple bodies in the Mediterranean Sea, with some victims found with their hands and feet tied. This investigation, launched in June 2025, raised suspicions that these individuals may have been migrants from North Africa who were tied up and thrown overboard during their perilous journey, possibly due to conflicts with smugglers (CBS News, Yahoo News). The regional president of the Balearic Islands described this situation as revealing "the cruelest side" of irregular migration.

Analysis

The claim that bodies are washing up on shores with their bodies in chains is supported by the findings in Spain, where multiple bodies were discovered bound and floating in the Mediterranean. This suggests a grim reality of violence associated with human smuggling operations. The reports indicate that at least five bodies were found with their hands and feet tied, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding these deaths, which may involve homicide linked to disputes among smugglers (Diario de Mallorca, Majorca Daily Bulletin).

However, the situation in the Caribbean, while tragic, does not explicitly support the claim of bodies being found in chains. The bodies found in the boat off Canouan were not reported to be bound in any way. Instead, they were identified as likely migrants attempting a dangerous journey to the Canary Islands. The spokesperson from the UN Refugee Agency emphasized the desperate circumstances leading to such perilous migrations, indicating that many migrants are fleeing violence and instability in their home countries (BBC, Reuters).

The sources reporting these incidents are generally credible, with major news organizations and official statements from authorities involved. However, the interpretation of the findings can vary, and sensationalism can sometimes color the reporting of such tragic events.

Conclusion

The claim that "bodies washing up on the shores of other countries with their bodies in chains" is Partially True. While there are confirmed reports of bodies found in the Mediterranean with their hands and feet tied, the specific claim does not universally apply to all reported incidents, particularly in the Caribbean context where no such bindings were mentioned. The underlying issue of migrant deaths and the violence associated with human smuggling is a significant and tragic reality, but the details vary by location and circumstance.

Sources

1. Bodies of migrants believed to be from Mali found in boat ...
2. Eleven bodies found in beached boat in Eastern Caribbean
3. Multiple bodies found with hands and feet tied in the ...
4. Multiple Bodies Found in Sea With Hands, Feet Tied - Yahoo
5. Breaking down claim bodies of Trump admin deportees washed up ...
6. Authorities offer horrifying theory after five bodies with ...