A man has died while working in an underground fuel storage tank, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority said.

The police later said that the victim is a man from Gambia, aged 46.

OHSA said it was informed of an accident at work which took place today at Has Saptan, limits of Ghaxaq. The accident took place at around 12.15pm.

“A person who lost his life while carrying out maintenance work in an underground tank,” the statement said.

OHSA has started its investigations into the cause of the fatal accident.

As the investigation is still ongoing, OHSA is not in a position to make other comments at this time, it said.

No further details were provided.

TVM said the man was crushed between the tank roof and the cabin of the cherry picker he was working on. The man was employed by a private contractor. 

Medical teams and units from the Civil Protection Department rushed to the scene and tried to rescue the man, but the casualty was pronounced dead on site. 

Magistratre Claire Stafrace Zammit is leading an inquiry.