Two young men are in hospital after being stabbed in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday night, just before Canada Day fireworks were set to go off, CFRA reports.

Ottawa paramedics say in the first incident, at about a 9:50 p.m., a 25-year-old man was stabbed multiple times and was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition.

About three minutes later, a second call came in for a stabbing, also on Rideau St.

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In that case, an 18-year-old man was in life-threatening condition suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Ottawa police said the two victims were stabilized early Thursday and were in non-life threatening condition.

Police believe the two incidents were linked but have not yet made any arrests.