A body in an advanced stage of decomposition was found in a field near Ghar Dalam, in Birzebbuga, on Thursday afternoon.

The discovery was made at around 6.30pm, the police said. The Zejtun police received an anonymous tip that a man was dead beneath some trees in a field.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death and DNA testing is to be conducted to establish the man's identity.

The identity of the person is still unknown.

A magisterial inquiry led by Magistrate Gabriella Vella is underway.

The discovery was made as the police continue to search for two men reported missing in the last weeks.

One was reported missing from Gudja and another from St Vincent de Paul Home.