Boats Carrying Dead Bodies Mysteriously Wash up on Japan Shores

The wreckage of a boat is pictured along a sea wall in the city of Yurihonjo, Akita prefecture on Nov. 24, 2017. A group of eight fishermen claiming to be from North Korea washed up in northern Japan after drifting there when their wooden vessel developed problems, authorities said on Nov. 24. AFP/Getty Images

A number of battered wooden boats carrying dead bodies have mysteriously washed up on the shores of Japan—and experts say they could be from North Korea.

Three empty boats were found along the west coast of Japan on Dec. 7. Two skeletons were found near one of the boats, which was upturned on the shore near the city of Oga, reported Washington Post. One of the other boats that was caught in fishing nets near Sado Island bore a sign in Korean writing.