A dead body was found at sea at 5pm on Wednesday, in the area of Wied il-Mielaħ in Għarb, Gozo, the police said.

The police requested the assistance of the Armed Forces who went on site and retrieved the cadaver. "From the investigations conducted, the body is probably of a man, but there has not yet been any identification as the body was found in an advanced stage of decomposition."

Duty Magistrate Simone Grech was informed and she has appointed an inquiry. An autopsy will be conducted to establish the cause of death.

Police investigations are ongoing.