A woman swimming at St Thomas Bay in Marsascala has died after finding herself in difficulties while swimming at the bay.

On 10:30am on Tuesday, the authorities were informed about two people struggling to swim at St Thomas Bay and a rescue mission was immediately released with witnesses reporting the presence of ambulances, police cars and CPD vehicles rushing to the scene. Members of the Redcross were also on the scene.

It was later revealed that a helicopter was also dispatched at 11:10am after attempts to save the swimmers from land proved to be in vain.

One of the people in trouble, a 70-year-old woman, was successfully pulled out of the sea with the aid of the helicopter.

Unfortunately, despite being assisted by doctors and nurses, she died just 15 minutes later on the spot.

No background information is known yet and the same goes for the other person who was at sea with her.

However, a police spokesperson said that the other person could have just been trying to help the 70-year-old.

Magistrate Josette Demicoli has opened an inquiry and appointed various experts to assist her.