A 71-year-old woman has died after finding herself in difficulties while swimming at St Thomas Bay on Thursday afternoon.

The police said the alarm was raised about 1pm.

The woman, a resident of Żejtun, was assisted by rescuers of the Red Cross and an ambulance crew. She was rushed to hospital from Marsascala but died soon after.

A magisterial inquiry is underway to confirm the cause of death. 

It is the fourth case this year of people getting into trouble while swimming in the sea, according to media reports.

On August 27, a 43-year-old Palestinian died while swimming at Qui-si-Sana and, on August 14, a 70-year-old woman from Birkirkara died after finding herself in difficulty while swimming at St Paul’s Bay.

On May 20, a 43-year-old Filipino woman died after finding herself in rough seas in Sliema while three others made it ashore.