A fifteen-year-old was grievously injured yesterday, when he ignited a petard part he had found the previous day, the police said.

The case was reported at about 9.30pm, when the teenager from Santa Venera was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital with hand and facial burns.

Preliminary investigations found that the youth was watching a fireworks display in the area known was Tal-Blat in Qormi when he found an unignited petard part in the vicinity of where the pyrotechnics were being let off.

He took the part and decided to ignite it yesterday at about 8.40pm at the Mrieħel Industrial Estate. It, however, immediately exploded in his hand, causing him injuries.

The case is being investigated by the Qormi District Police.

Anyone who comes across any pyrotechnics should keep his distance from them and immediately report the matter to the responsible authorities, the police said.. One should never handle any explosive material, let alone ignite it.