A body was spotted at sea and brought ashore by the Armed Forces of Malta on Friday afternoon, the police said in a statement.

The body was spotted at around 13:00 off the cliffs at Fawwara.

Police said that it was in an advanced state of decomposition. It was recovered by an AFM Patrol Boat and brought ashore to the maritime base at Hay Wharf.

Magistrate Monica Borg Galea is leading an inquiry while police investigations are also ongoing.

This is the third body in an advanced state of decomposition to be recovered from the sea in recent weeks.

On 20 February a body was discovered at sea near Paradise Bay in Mellieħa, while another body was found at sea near Fomm ir-Riħ and brought ashore on the previous Wednesday.