Major incident declared with ‘number of casualties’ in Welsh village
A major emergency services operation is underway in a rural Welsh village following a ‘serious incident’ that resulted in a number of casualties.
Around 20 to 30 police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene on Baglan Street in the village of Ynyswen, near Treorchy in Rhondda at midday. Air ambulances have also landed nearby.
Details about the incident or the extent of the causalities are unclear, though there have been unconfirmed reports of a knife attack.
Gas engineer John Belgrove, who lives on Baglan Street, told Metro.co.uk he heard that there had been multiple stabbings at the Blue Sky Chinese takeaway with at least three victims.
Mr Belgrove, 46, said: ‘I saw one of the girls covered in blood.
‘I’m not sure if there’s been fatalities or not.’
He added: ‘There’s been more than 30 police vehicles and two air ambulances.
‘Obviously it’s something pretty serious to have that many service vehicles.’
South Wales Police confirmed there is a serious incident ongoing in Baglan Street and asked people to avoid the area.
‘Ambulance crews are also in attendance as the incident involves a number of casualties,’ the statement said.
The street has been closed off and forensic units are now at the scene.
Rhondda MP Chris Bryant described the events as ‘disturbing’ and referred to the incident as an ‘attack’ in a series of posts on social media.
He tweeted: ‘I’m aware of disturbing events on Baglan Street in Treherbert/Ynyswen.’
He later added: ‘The police have confirmed there are a number of casualties.
‘My thoughts are with those involved and their loved ones at this truly awful time.
‘Please do contact the police if you witnessed the attack.’
Local residents have described how armed police suddenly descended onto the area at around noon.
One told Wales Online: ‘I live in the street, it was about half past 12 on my way to meet my friend.
‘As I come around the corner there was loads of sirens getting passed and I saw four police at the bottom with guns telling people they couldn’t come down the hill.
‘They were saying can you get back. Then a couple of minutes later I saw someone getting stretchered off into the back of an ambulance literally outside the Chinese by the hill.’
A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Trust confirmed they were called to the scene but couldn’t say how many people have been taken to hospital.
They said that one rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances and the air ambulance were sent to the scene.
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