Police on Thursday are investigating a fatal work accident which resulted in the death of a 34-year-old construction worker in Peyia.

The man, named as Aldahdouh Housain from Syria, a permanent resident of Paphos, died on Wednesday afternoon, after being crushed by falling timber from a forklift.

According to police, the incident happened at 4.30pm in the parking lot of the Church of St. George. Investigations at the scene determined that the belt holding together the timber load snapped, causing it to fall on the 34-year-old construction worker who was passing underneath.

The man was taken to Paphos general hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 5.52pm.

The scene had been cordoned off and an autopsy is to be carried out on the body of the deceased.

Police arrested two people were held for questioning, the 64-year-old driver of the forklift and the 45-year-old project contractor.

The case is under ongoing investigation.