A body was discovered at sea near Paradise Bay in Mellieħa on Friday afternoon, prompting an ongoing search and recovery operation by the Armed Forces of Malta, with assistance from the Malta Police Force.

Authorities said the police were alerted at around 1pm after the body was spotted in the water in an advanced state of decomposition.

Following the report, AFM personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to conduct a search and recovery operation in the waters around Paradise Bay and Ċirkewwa. Police officers were also called to assist on site, as was the Civil Protection Department.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia has launched an inquiry and appointed a number of experts to assist.  

Officials have not yet released details about the identity of the deceased.

This is the second discovery of a body this week. A dead body had been found at sea near Fomm ir-Riħ and brought ashore on Wednesday afternoon.