A British man has been found dead after going diving off the coast of Majorca.
He was pulled lifeless out of the sea by the Malgrats Islands, two uninhabited islets opposite the Bay of Santa Ponsa a short drive from the holiday resort of Magaluf.
A Civil Protection boat made the grim discovery and recovered his body before taking it to Santa Ponsa Yacht Club.
He is understood to have been wearing just a mask and swim shorts when he was found.
Malgrats Islands as viewed from the Bay of Santa Ponsa. A British diver has been found dead after going diving off the coast of Majorca. His body was found near the uninhabited islands (stock image)
A Spanish Civil Guard police officer (stock image). Officials have not yet said whether they have established drowning as cause of death or think he suffered a previous health problem before getting into difficulties. The Civil Guard has been reporting to a court in Palma ahead of a post-mortem
The alarm was raised around 4pm on Tuesday and the local Civil Guard launched an immediate probe to try to discover who the dead man was.
Well-placed sources confirmed this afternoon he was British.
It was not immediately clear this afternoon whether he had been holidaying in Majorca or lived on the island.
Reports at the time of the discovery earlier this week, before his nationality emerged, had described him as being aged between 60 and 70.
A police source said this afternoon: “The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage.”
Officials have not yet said whether they have established drowning as cause of death or think he suffered a previous health problem before getting into difficulties.
The Civil Guard has been reporting to a court in Palma ahead of a post-mortem.
It is not yet clear how the dead man was identified.
The alarm was raised around 4pm on Tuesday and the local Civil Guard launched an immediate probe to try to discover who the dead man was. Well-placed sources confirmed this afternoon he was British
The Malgrats Islands Natural Reserve is regarded as an excellent area to go snorkelling.
Island firms offer tours of its fascinating cave system and crystal clear waters which include a hotel pick-up and return service and supply of mask, snorkel fins and wetsuit if necessary as well as a boat ride to the snorkel area.
The islands were declared a marine reserve in 2004 in recognition of the high ecological and fishing value of the region as well as the diversity of animal habitats and communities.
The controversial 2007 sinking of a decommissioned Spanish frigate, promoted by town hall officials to create an artificial reef for diving but opposed by groups such as Greenpeace, has reportedly led to it becoming even more popular with scuba divers.