Valletta, Malta - A man died as 80 would-be illegal immigrants landed in two groups in Malta late Wednesday night, officials said.

The man died when he fell overboard as his dinghy was approaching the Mediterranean island.

The African migrants - 66 men and 14 women - including three who were heavily pregnant - landed in two groups in the Freeport area.

The passengers also included a 7-year-old boy.

The army said in a statement that it was notified by the police that some 40 immigrants had made it to shore on the rocky coastline and a rubber dinghy had also been spotted in the choppy seas just offshore.

A patrol boat sent to the area to investigate intercepted the dinghy, with 40 immigrants on board, in the entrance to Marsaxlokk Bay. The migrants were towed in since their engine was inoperative.

In the meantime, a rescue vessel was sent after police informed the army that a number of migrants had fallen overboard. The lifeless body of one of the immigrants was picked from the sea.

No further details were given.

Italy and Malta have reported a drastic reduction in the number of would-be immigrants landing on their shores from Africa following the coming into effect earlier this year of a pact between Italy and Libya.

Through the agreement, Libya has committed to stepping up patrols along its shoreline, which is often used by the mostly African migrants as a springboard to reach Europe.

Italy also began deporting to Libya would-be immigrants intercepted in international waters. (dpa)