A man has died after a Turkish Airlines flight was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Malta on Friday when the passenger fell ill on board.

Turkish Airlines flight TK15 was travelling from Istanbul to Sao Paolo, Brazil when a medical emergency was declared.

In a statement on Friday, the airline confirmed it had diverted to Malta International Airport "due to a passenger's need for medical assistance".

"It is with deep sadness we mention that our passenger passed away," the statement said.

The flight had departed Istanbul at around 7am and landed in Malta shortly before 11am. An ambulance was on site but the passenger was later declared dead. 

The airline said the flight would leave Malta after "necessary operational checks". 

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