Valletta - The body of what was believed to be that of an African would-be immigrant was recovered Wednesday from the sea off Malta - the second such find in less than 24 hours. Fishermen pulled the decomposing body from the sea some two nautical miles off the Mediterranean island's south Wied Iz-Zurrieq coast.
Another body, also believed to be an illegal immigrant, was found wearing a life vest in the same waters on Tuesday.
Recent fine weather in the Mediterranean has prompted hundreds of Africans, many fleeing poverty and other hardships at home, to attempt crossing the sea to reach the shores Europe.
Malta, which has been grappling with the problem of illegal immigration for more than a decade, has renewed appeals to other European Union member states to assist in dealing with the problem.
During a meeting on Monday, French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux promised his Maltese counterparts that immigration will be one of the main priorities when France takes over the EU's rotating presidency in July.
