(VALLETTA) - A third body of an illegal immigrant was found floating off the coast of Malta Thursday, sparking fears a possible larger tragedy may have unfolded.

The armed forces were called to a small bay in the south of the Mediterranean island where the corpse was found.

This was the third corpse of an illegal immigrant found during the last 36 hours suggesting a vessel containing would-be migrants may have sunk, with further bodies still to be washed up.

Illegal immigrants regularly arrive in the EU's smallest state in tiny, one-engined fibreglass. Normally from 20 to 27 immigrants pack onto each, the overcrowding making the vessels more liable to sinking.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.