A Scottish tourist who suffered severe burns in a suspected gas explosion at a building in Rome has died of his injuries.

Grant Paterson, 54, was admitted to hospital on 23 March after the explosion and subsequent collapse of the block of flats where he was staying, in the Monteverde district.

The explosion, which is still under investigation, occurred on the final day of Paterson’s visit to the Italian capital. He was pulled out from beneath the rubble and taken to Rome’s Saint’Eugenio, where he underwent several operations for burns to about 75% of his body.

Doctors said a few days ago that Paterson, from East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, was not conscious and his breathing was being “mechanically assisted”. His death was announced on Tuesday.