A 59-year-old man is in critical condition after he was found suffering from serious injuries in mysterious circumstances in an area behind the City Gate terminus in Valletta on the Hotel Phoenicia side, yesterday at about 4 p.m.

Sources close to the police said people in the area, not far from where carnival celebrations were taking place, reported finding a man lying sprawled on the ground, apparently suffering from a severe head wound.

Although the man, who resided at St Paul’s Bay, was thought to be a foreigner, he had Maltese nationality, the sources said.

An ambulance took him to Mater Dei Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. The police said they were informed last night his injuries were life threatening.

Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna was informed and he appointed a team of experts to help in an inquiry.

Until late last night, the police were still trying to establish how the man was injured.