(VALLETTA) - An Italian coastguard vessel has rescued a number of immigrants and recovered a body in the sea off Malta.

The armed forces said Tuesday that the Fiorilla picked up 20 illegal immigrants who were in distress at sea and a body 56 miles south of the island.

"It is not known whether the corpse is from the same group or what the state of health of the main group was," the statement addedd.

The patrol boat, which is on blue-fin tuna fishing quotas enforcement, is expected in Malta later in the day.

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