A foreign diver has died after encountering difficulties while diving at the Um El Faroud dive site in Zurrieq.

Initial reports suggested that a party of seven had encountered difficulties after currents whipped up by the wind had dragged them out to sea.

An Armed Forces of Malta helicopter was sent to the scene and three of the divers managed to make it ashore on their own steam. The other four were winched aboard. One of them, a 48-year-old male identified only as a foreigner, was rushed to Mater Dei, but was pronounced dead on arrival. The other three are in good condition.