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A man suffered severe injuries this afternoon when a parcel exploded as he was opening it at his residence in Qormi.

The incident happened at about 1.30 p.m. in St Edward Street, close to the health centre.

Informed sources said the parcel appeared to have been placed at the doorstep of the house. The explosion took place in the first floor apartment, blowing out the door of a balcony.

Philip Cini, 60, had severe injuries to his left hand and also suffered injuries to his right hand and torso. He was immediately assisted by his wife and a grandson, who were in the house at the time, and a grocer and a worker who were across the road.

Mr Cini was rushed to hospital in an ambulance which arrived within a short time. The police said he is in danger of dying.

AFM bomb disposal experts, rescuers from the Civil Protection Department and Police Commissioner John Rizzo were also on the scene.

Neighbours were stunned by what had happened. A man said he could never imagine something of this sort happening to Mr Cini, who he described as a jovial character.

The incident will recall the 1977 blast - also during the Christmas period - which killed Karin Grech, 15. The explosion took place at the height of the doctors' strike. Young Karin was the daughter of Prof Edwin Grech, who worked at St Luke's Hospital at the time.