A biker died early this morning in a crash in Sliema, the police said.

The man, an Italian aged 45 resident in Gzira, lost control of the Honda bike he was riding and crashed.

The man fell of the bike and hit the pavement, the police said.

He was certified dead on site.

The accident took place in Tower Road at 3am.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras is leading an inquiry.