A late-night argument in Paceville escalated into a violent brawl involving a knife, leaving several people injured, including British nationals and Maltese teenagers.

Police were first alerted at around 4.15am to an incident in Triq Santa Rita, where they found three British men, aged 31, 36, and 55, with injuries allegedly caused by a sharp, pointed weapon.

All three were treated on site by a medical team before being taken to Mater Dei Hospital.

Moments later, police received reports of another argument in Triq Santu Wistin, just streets away.

There, they discovered three Maltese youths in an altercation. Two of them, aged 17 and 18, were arrested, with the 17-year-old found carrying a knife.

Investigations revealed that the pair had allegedly injured another 18-year-old Maltese youth during the confrontation.

Further investigations confirmed that the two arrested teens had also been involved in the earlier fight with the British nationals.

All those involved, including the injured teen and the alleged aggressors were taken to Mater Dei.

Two of the British men were later certified as suffering from grievous injuries, while the third sustained slight injuries.

The condition of the others is still pending.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia has launched an inquiry and police investigations are ongoing.