A man was seriously injured after a fire on a boat off Delimara on Wednesday, the police said.

The accident took place half a mile offshore at around 11.45am.

The police said that the man, aged 46 of Zurrieq, suffered extensive burns.

He was found in the sea close to the boat by the Armed Forces of Malta and Civil Protection Department officers.

He was taken to land and given first assistance, before being transported to Mater Dei Hospital where he was found to be in a critical condition.

Magistrate Antoine Agius Bonnici is leading an inquiry.