A 16-year-old boy was in hospital on Friday after an amputation following an injury from a firecracker the previous day.

The accident happened in the courtyard of a Larnaca church at around 4.30pm on Thursday, where a number of youths had gathered.

Police reported that, in circumstances under investigation, an improvised firecracker exploded in close proximity to the boy who was injured.

He was initially taken to Larnaca general hospital, where it was determined that he had suffered a serious injury to his left little finger. He was then transferred to a private hospital for further treatment.

Aradippou police are furthering the investigation.