Valletta, Malta - A badly decomposed corpse was recovered Friday from the sea off Malta as another group of 26 would-be illegal immigrants landed on the Mediterranean island. 

The male corpse carried no documents, said police, who believe he was a would-be immigrant, victim of a shipwreck. 

Hundreds of people are estimated to die every year as they attempt to reach European shores from the North African coast on board rickety boats. 

Meanwhile the group of 26 would-be immigrants - including five women - were remanded in custody following their arrival in Malta. 

The number of asylum seekers landing in Malta this year has shot up, despite the deployment of European Union border patrols in the Mediterranean. (dpa)