Two men died after a boat capsized off Marsascala in rough seas this morning, while another two escaped with slight injuries after swimming to the shore.

The police said this evening that the man who was missing has been found dead, at Pembroke. Another man, a Moroccan aged 29, was lifted from the sea this morning and died in hospital.

The four, three Sicilians and a Moroccan, were on a boat which was caught in the rough seas. The boat apparently hit a reef and started taking in water, before capsizing.

Two of the men, aged 35, swam to shore but a third, aged 29, was lifted out of the water by the AFM, and was later certified dead at Mater Dei Hospital.

The second man, who Italian media say is the father of the two who were rescued, was found dead this evening. 

The accident was reported around 4am, a time when rough seas and strong winds were hitting the island.

In a statement, the AFM said that earlier this morning, the Armed Forces of Malta’s SAR Coordination Centre was informed that a group of four persons were in distress at sea in the area of Żonqor Point in Marsaskala.

From the information gathered the vessel capsized with the people on board.

The AFM immediately dispatched the MELITA 1 Search and Rescue Vessel and the AW139 helicopter to the area. Three persons were transported to Mater Dei Hospital whilst the AFM is still currently searching for the fourth person.

Magistrate Charmaine Galea is conducting an inquiry.

Photos above Michael Camilleri