Updated 5.30pm, adds Palumbo statement

Two men were grievously injured on Thursday, in an accident at Palumbo Shipyards.

The police said a 48-Romanian man was driving a forklift truck on the quayside at around 9am when he lost control of the vehicle and ended up in the sea, dragging his colleague with him. They were pulled out by other workers.

An ambulance was called and they were transferred to Mater Dei Hospital.

The police are investigating.

In a statement later, Palumbo said it was monitoring the condition of two sub-contracted workers.

A spokesman said the shipyard abided by the highest international safety standards and the welfare of its employees was always its top priority.