Two Maltese teenagers were arrested by police in the early hours of Saturday morning after a stabbing incident left four people in hospital.

Police said that the police were informed of an argument in Triq Santa Rita in St Julian’s – the main thoroughfare that goes through Paceville – at 4:15am on Saturday.

On site, the police found three British men aged 31, 46 and 55 with injuries allegedly caused by a pointed weapon.  They were taken to Mater Dei Hospital after being treated by a medical team on site.

At the same time, police were informed of a second argument taking place in Triq Santu Wistin in the same area and found three teenagers arguing between them.

Officers intervened and arrested two Maltese male teenagers: a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, with the former being found in possession of a knife.  They were arguing with another 18-year-old who had also suffered some injuries as a result of the knife.

Further investigations connected the two arguments together, with officers deducing that the two arrested teenagers were also involved in the argument with the British men.

The 18-year-old victim and the two arrested teenagers were both taken to Mater Dei Hospital as well.

Two of the British men were later certified to have suffered grievous injuries, and the third suffered light injuries.  The two arrested individuals and the remaining victim were certified as suffering from light injuries as well, police said later on Sunday.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia is leading an inquiry while police investigations are also ongoing.