(VALLETTA) - The corpses of two illegal immigrants have been found in Maltese waters in less than 24 hours while the armed forces landed another group of migrants.

The army said that a fisherman reported sighting a corpse floating shortly before 10:00 am (0800 GMT) Wednesday and an army patrol boat picked it up some 7.5 miles off Malta.

"Initial indications showed that the corpse had been at sea for some six days or so, and documents found showed the male corpse was of a 37-year old," said the army in a statement.

It said that another decomposed corpse with a life vest on was found Tuesday near the island.

Meanwhile 12 other migrants were rescued from an eight-metre fibre glass boat and were landed Wednesday, included five women and a small girl. They were found to be in good health.

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