A construction worker has died and another was taken to hospital after a ceiling collapsed in Sliema on Saturday, the police said.

The victim is a 51-year-old man from Albania who resides in Zebbug.

A report about the incident was filed to the police at 9.45am, a police spokesman said on the site of the accident.

The ceiling that collapsed is in a residence in St Ignatius Street that is undergoing refurbishment works.

One of the workers, aged 31, also from Albania and resident in Zebbug, emerged from the debris on his own and was taken to hospital in an ambulance, but his co-worker was found dead under the rubble, the spokesman said.

The police later said that the second man was certified to have suffered slight injuries.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia is leading an inquiry.

In a separate statement, the Bulding and Construction Authority said that the work which was taking place in the innerside of the property did not have the complete approval of the Planning Authority, and neither was there an application with the BCA.

This means that the work was taking place without the necessary permits, the BCA said, adding that it has opened an investigation.

The Occupational Health And Safety Authority, in its own statement, said that the OHSA had not been informed about the work that was taking place as no documents had been presented.