A 19-year-old Italian woman is in danger of dying after she almost drowned in the Fra Ben area in Qawra on Wednesday evening.

Police said that its assistance was requested at around 7pm on Wednesday at Fra Ben when it became clear that the woman had found herself in difficulties while swimming.

She was saved and given first aid by friends who were nearby and members of the Red Cross Society, and a medical team then arrived from Mater Dei Hospital and the Civil Protection Department.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance and was certified as being in serious condition.

Police said that its investigations are ongoing.