A young man died as a result of a gas leak at his home on Tuesday afternoon police said.

The case was reported to the police at about 4.30pm.

Officers and members of the Civil Protection Department went to a residence in Triq Santa Katerina, Qormi, where the 19-year-old was found unconscious as a result of leakage from a gas heater.

He was rushed to hospital where he died shortly after.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras is heading an inquiry.

The news of the tragedy spread like wildfire in Qormi, with many young people describing the victim, Ramiro Mallia, as a kind-hearted, cheerful young man and an avid supporter of Italian football club Milan. 

Young Ramiro had spoken to Times of Malta in December 2016, saying children with siblings suffering serious illnesses often end up spending their childhood struggling to maintain a sense of normality, an issue that is often overlooked.