One man was feared dead and several others left fighting for their lives today after a knifeman went on the rampage at a Chinese takeaway.
Eye witnesses said the village restaurant was ‘covered in blood’ and more than 30 emergency vehicles were at the scene.
The victims were flown to hospital by air ambulance and police confirmed they were dealing with a multiple stabbing incident.
Screams were heard coming from the Blue Sky Chinese takeaway shortly after midday in the village of Ynyswen, Rhondda, South Wales.
Neighbour John Belgrove 46, said: ‘I was in my workshop when I heard sirens and saw police everywhere.
‘There was a Chinese girl sitting on a pavement – she was in her pyjamas and they were covered in blood.
Pictured: A huge emergency response is underway in south Wales as police deal with a ‘major incident’ involving a ‘number of casualties’ in Baglan Street near Rhondda this afternoon
‘I could see she was sobbing and in a terrible state.
‘I helped the police block off the road, I heard them say that one person was dead and several others badly hurt.’
Builder Mr Belgrove said he believed the casualties were Chinese and worked at the takeaway in Baglan Street which was sealed off by police.
He said: ‘The restaurant owners haven’t been there very long – they did a swap with another Chinese restaurant nearby called Yummy Yummy.
‘As far as I know there is a connection between the two businesses.
‘It’s shocking, it’s such a quiet village. I counted 31 emergency vehicles here and two air ambulances.’
The restaurant has been open for business with local girls staffing the counter and passing orders to the Chinese staff in the kitchens.
Neighbour, John Evans, 70, said: ‘There was a lot of blood at the scene, it was a major incident with multiple victims.
‘This is normally a quiet village I don’t know what’s happened to cause this.’
The nature of incident is not known at this stage but police have confirmed there are casualties
Another neighbour said: ‘A woman was heard screaming but I don’t think she was one of the injured.
‘She saw what happened which must have been awful. There was a lot of blood.’
At about midday, South Wales police closed off the road and several police cars are still parked in the village.
Witnesses also reported that the air ambulance landed on nearby Baglan Field, beside Penyrenglyn Primary School.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant said: ‘I have been informed that the incident in Ynyswen is a major incident.
‘The emergency services will be in attendance for a very long period of time. Please do avoid the area. I sincerely hope nobody is extremely hurt.’
South Wales Police said they were dealing with a ‘serious incident’ which involved a ‘number of casualties’
A force spokesman said: ‘Police units are currently dealing with a serious incident which occurred in Baglan Street, Treorchy, at approximately midday today.
Pictures from the scene show a huge emergency service response with at least 20 vehicles
The street has been closed off and police have asked people to avoid the area where possible
‘Ambulance crews are also in attendance as the incident involves a number of casualties.
‘The street has been closed off and people are advised to avoid the area until further notice.’
The Welsh Ambulance Trust confirmed they sent one rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances and the air ambulance to the scene but they have been unable to confirm how many casualties were taken to hospital.
Resident Linsey Simmonds said: ‘I was coming past the Baglan Field and saw the Air Ambulance land there, and in the past 20 minutes there’s been up to 30 police and ambulance vehicles.
Welsh Ambulance Trust confirmed one rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances and the air ambulance were sent to the scene but it is unclear how many casualties there are
‘You can’t walk past there or drive up the valley.’
A white forensic tent has been set up at the scene this afternoon which remains cordoned off by police.
This is a breaking news story. We will bring you more information as soon as it becomes available.
MailOnline has contacted South Wales Police for more information.