A 21-year-old man who lost the fingers of his right hand in a workplace accident in Paphos suffered serious injuries, but his condition is not considered life threatening, the Cyprus News Agency reported on Wednesday.

The explosion and subsequent injury happened at an electrical repair shop on Wednesday as the man attempted to transfer oxygen from a large tank to a smaller one.

He was assisted and rushed to the A&E at Paphos general hospital but was later transferred to Limassol for further specialised treatment.

Police ruled out foul play and labour ministry officials pointed to high pressure in the smaller cannister as likely causing the explosion.