A four-year-old boy who was hospitalised in critical condition after falling into a swimming pool at a private residence in Marsaxlokk earlier this week has died, police said on Sunday.

In an updated statement, police said the boy lost his life at Mater Dei Hospital in recent hours.

The incident happened five days ago on Tuesday at around 11.45am in Triq il-Port Ruman, where police and a medical team were called to assist after the child fell into a swimming pool at a private residence.

The boy had been pulled unconscious from the water by people who were at the residence before emergency services arrived.

An ambulance took the child to Mater Dei Hospital, where he had been certified as being in a serious condition and admitted to intensive care.

A magisterial inquiry and police investigations are still ongoing, police said.