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

Police said that the tragedy happened at around 1pm on Thursday.  The victim is a 71-year-old woman from Zejtun.  She was swimming at the bay but found herself in difficulty.

People close by assisted her and brought her ashore, where she was assisted by members of the Red Cross and then taken to Mater Dei Hospital.

She was unfortunately certified as dead soon after arrival.

Duty magistrate Gabriella Vella is leading an inquiry while police said that its own investigations are also ongoing.