A 16-year-old boy is hospitalized in serious condition following a violent assault in central Athens, Greek authorities said on Thursday.

The attack took place on Wednesday on Acharnon Street, in the Kato Patissia area, when three masked individuals approached the teenager and began beating him with punches and kicks. After knocking him to the ground, the attackers stole his mobile phone and fled into nearby streets.

The victim, who is of Bangladeshi origin, was taken to KAT Hospital, a major trauma center in Athens. According to reports, he suffered multiple fractures across his body and remains under close medical supervision.

Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area in an effort to identify the perpetrators. While the theft of the mobile phone points to robbery as a possible motive, the severity of the beating has raised concerns that the attack may have had a racist element.