Six directors of Palumbo Malta Shipyard have pleaded not guilty to involuntary homicide.

The men were charged over the death of a diver, Patrick Vella, 36, in 2015, Malta Today reported.

Four of the directors are based in Naples, Italy: Antonio Palumbo, Giuseppe Palumbo, Raffaele Palumbo and Giorgio Flippi.

The other two are from Malta: Joseph Calleja and Mark Grech.

They were arraigned by summons, but were not under arrest, before magistrate Josette Demicoli.

Vella