The body of a man was found in the sea off Ayia Napa early on Monday, police confirmed to the Cyprus Mail.

Famagusta port officers found the body at around 8.30am in the sea near Ayia napa marina and brought it ashore.

A police spokesperson told the Cyprus Mail that the man’s stomach was bloated, which means he died several days ago.

The man appears to be of African descent, and attempts are being made to identify him through DNA samples.

Police said it would also look into missing persons reports.

State pathologist Nicolas Charalambous was also called at the scene to carry out the preliminary autopsy. The exact causes of death will be determined during the autopsy that will be performed at a later stage.