Updated 11.35am

A 57-year-old man was found with life-threatening stab wounds at Ta’ Qali on Thursday at 11.15pm.

The police said on Friday they were informed that a man covered in blood was lying on the ground towards the large parking area, near the national football ground.

The man, who is Bulgarian, was given first aid by an off-duty policeman who happened to be passing by. He was then taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance.

His aggressor, a 36-year-old man who lives in Attard, left the site and the police spent the night searching for him. Officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit eventually found him hiding in a block of apartments in Attard at 6.45am on Friday.

He had some injuries in his legs, which he sustained during the incident. The aggressor was arrested and taken to the police headquarters in Floriana for questioning. Investigations to establish the motive are still under way.

The police said a car with its headlights on, belonging to the victim, was found at an entrance to fields. Traces of blood could be seen close by and the police closed off the space to preserve the scene of the crime.

An inquiry is being held.

The police are investigating.