A teenager was grievously injured on Saturday evening in an "argument" between youths, the police said.

The fight took place in Merchants Street at 10pm.

Four minors were attacked by a group of older youths, who dispersed before the police arrived.

One of the four minors, a 15-year-old, was taken to hospital with grievous injuries.

The other three were given assistance in a health centre.

A parent of one of the injured boys, in a statement, said that the boys were attacked by a gang of older thugs for no reason at all.

A group of scouts decided to go to Valletta to the food court after their afternoon scouts session, something they often do.

While walking in Merchants Street, they heard someone behind them call – they looked back and seeing nobody they knew, continued walking, but the ‘person’ said “look at me when I’m speaking to you” then the four were attacked violently, the parent said.

"My son was thrown to the floor and kicked repeatedly in the head and ribs as were the others but luckily, three of them got off relatively unhurt," he said.

The fourth young teen, however, had his leg broken and had to be taken by ambulance to hospital where this morning he underwent surgery, the parent said.