A 64-year-old man died in Mater Dei Hospital shortly after experiencing difficulties while diving off the coast of Wied iz-Zurrieq on Friday, police said in a statement.

The police said that the Englishman, whose identity was not provided, passed away on Friday afternoon.

Members of the police and the Civil Protection Department (CPD) arrived at the scene and retrieved the diver from the sea, at around 3:30pm.

A medical team quickly assisted the diver right as he was taken back to land.

The police said that the man was certified dead shortly after arriving in Mater Dei Hospital via ambulance for emergency care.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia has appointed an inquiry into this death, while police investigations are ongoing.