A body in an advanced stage of decomposition was discovered in the sea off the Valletta shore on Wednesday morning, the police said.

The body was seen in the area known as Foss tal-Belt at 6.15am.

The Armed Forces of Malta were asked to assist in the operation to lift the body out of the water.

The police said that identification at this stage is not possible because of the state of decomposition,

Magistrate Charmaine Galea is leading an inquiry.