A 51-year-old prisoner died late yesterday at the Corradino prisons, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

First indications showed he died of natural causes, it added. The prisoner had a long history of medical problems.

Police investigations and a magisterial inquiry have been launched and several court experts have been appointed. 

Last week, another prisoner died in hospital as a result of the flu. He was one of two prisoners who had been taken to the intensive care unit suffering from chest infections. A third prisoner was later hospitalised but the Home Affairs Ministry said the situation was under control.

A number of other prisoners had also been examined.

Minister Carmelo Abela said last week that the flu vaccination had also been offered in November, but only 96 prisoners out of prison population of 580 took it. Another 39 inmates had taken the vaccination by last week.

The latest cases have complicated the situation for the Home Affairs Ministry, which was already facing pressure over three suicides and an attempted suicide of people who were in police custody.

In October a 39-year-old man from Zejtun arrested in connection with an 11-kilo drug haul committed suicide at the police headquarters lock-up in Floriana.

Some weeks later a homeless 36-year-old German also took his own life at the police HQ. He was also due to appear in court over drug-related charges.

A 45-year-old British man who was being held in custody at Mount Carmel Hospital’s forensic unit also committed suicide at the beginning of this year. Then, a few days later it emerged how a Syrian had tried to commit suicide at the depot in Floriana. An inquiry was only launched after the case became public.