South Wales Police responding to ‘serious’ incident

The incident happened in Baglan Street, Treorchy, at around noon and ambulance crews are also in attendance, South Wales Police said.

A cordon has been erected around a takeaway restaurant called the Blue Sky on Baglan Street in the village of Ynyswen, with a small white tent outside the premises.

John Belgrove, a builder, who lives on Baglan Street, said he was in his shed when his barking dogs alerted him to emergency services just after midday.

He told the PA news agency: “I came out and I counted over the next half an hour about 31 different emergency vehicles. I saw what looked like a Chinese lady, probably in her 20s, crying uncontrollably and she had blood on her front.

“There was one elderly Chinese man who was walking wounded with his head all bandaged up and they put him in the back of an ambulance.”

He said another younger man was being treated by paramedics.

South Wales Police said the street has been closed off and people are advised to avoid the area until further notice.

First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford tweeted that news of the incident was “deeply concerning”.

He said: “I’m being kept informed of developments and my thoughts are with everyone in the community during this worrying time.”

Chris Bryant, Labour MP for Rhondda, tweeted that he is aware of “disturbing events on Baglan Street” and said his thoughts go out to all those affected.

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said they had sent one rapid response vehicle, three emergency ambulances, the hazardous area response team and the Wales Air Ambulance to the scene.

In a statement, South Wales Police said: “Police units are currently dealing with a serious incident which occurred in Baglan Street, Treorchy, at approximately midday today.

“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.

“Updates will be released when they are available.

“Anybody who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact 101 immediately and give reference *077519.”

One neighbour said she saw “quite a few police cars” arrive in the area and knew it must be “something serious”.

Mavis Wakeford, 79, told the PA news agency: “It’s quiet, nothing like this has ever happened. I’ve lived here all my life and nothing like this has ever happened before.”

She added: “It’s something serious, obviously, it’s got to be, hasn’t it?”

Councillor Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said he had been informed of “the major incident in Ynyswen” and thanked the emergency services for the “significant attendance which is ongoing”.

He added: “My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident but please avoid the area until emergency services leave the location.”

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.