A 32-year-old man was admitted to Larnaca general hospital in critical condition after being injured with a sharp object in an attack, police said on Saturday.

Police were alerted around 5.15pm Friday to an injured man outside a shop in Larnaca, where officers found him with an abdominal wound receiving help from others.

According to what the victim said, he was attacked with a knife by another individual, who also stole his mobile phone.

Head of Larnaca police Giorgos Charalambous said that the victim reported while he was at the spot he was found in, a man got out of a passing vehicle, stabbed him without cause and fled.

However, no traces of blood were found where he was discovered, Charalambous said, while small stains were found in the stairwell of a nearby apartment building.

Charalambous added that bloody apartment keys, which had apparently fallen from the man’s clothing, were found at the ambulance pickup spot after his hospital transfer.

Based on the keys and their number, police issued a search warrant.

A search of the Larnaca apartment, revealed among other items, 6.5 grams of a crystal substance, a bottle bearing traces of a similar substance, a grinder with traces of cannabis, a plastic container with traces of white powder, two precision scales and €300 in cash. The items were seized by the police.

It was added that the apartment had been rented two days ago by the victim online through Airbnb.

Examinations established that he was seen at around 5pm in a nearby field before going to the location where he claimed to have been attacked, already injured.

“In relation to the size and severity of the injuries, it is not ruled out that the crime scene is located in a different place,” Charalambous said.

The injured man was taken to Larnaca general hospital, where he underwent surgery and remains hospitalised. His condition was later described as out of danger.

Police later said they were looking for a 30-year-old man named Stelios Georgiou to help with enquiries.

Wanted man: Stelios Georgiou