Updated Wednesday 7.40am, adds details

Four men were hospitalised on Tuesday afternoon after an explosion on a small cabin cruiser, initiated by a gas cooker as the men were cooking.

The incident on board the 20-foot vessel happened at about 2.45pm at Paradise Bay.

The men were assisted by people on nearby boats and a Malta Red Cross rescuer until an ambulance team and members of the Civil Protection Department and the police arrived on the scene.

The police said on Wednesday the men were three 26-year-olds were from Mosta, Żebbuġ and Iklin and a 29-year-old from Siġġiewi. Two suffered grievous injuries, two slight.

They suffered burns caused by the explosion.

On the boat there were also a 27-year-old man from Qormi and a 34-year-old man from Naxxar.

The men were rushed to Mater Dei Hospital.

Their condition is not yet known. 

The police are investigating.