(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles police has reported that the body of a Malagasy national who was reported drowned on Friday, has been recovered from the sea.

The incident which occurred at the Marie Laure beach in the northern district of Belombre on the main Seychelles island of Mahé, was reported to the police at around 11.05 am local time on Friday.

According to a press statement issued this afternoon, the body of 26-year-old Jean Henry Rakotoniaina, was found by officers of the Seychelles Coast Guard early this morning.

“…the body was found at 6:30 [am] today around the same area,” reads the statement.

Efforts by local fishermen, lifeguards and the Seychelles Coast Guard to find the body which went on till late yesterday was to no avail.

“We stopped the search last night because of poor visibility and this was resumed early this morning…but a team from the Marine Police had remained on-site throughout the night,” the police spokesperson Jean Toussaint told SNA this afternoon.

Rakotoniaina was working at the Indian Ocean Tuna canning factory in the Seychelles capital of Victoria.

Yesterday, the police reported that according to initial investigation he was in the sea with three other colleagues when they were hit by big waves.

“One of the colleagues tried to assist him but also found himself in difficulty and was in turn assisted by the other two who were there…Having rescued that second colleague first, the two turned back to go save the 26 year old but strong current hindered their effort and then they did not see him again.”

An autopsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.