A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two teachers and a student were stabbed at Amman Valley School in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
Students were held in lockdown in their classes on Wednesday as the “deeply worrying” incident unfolded.
Victims have been taken to hospital with non life-threatening stab wounds and the teenage girl remains in police custody, Dyfed-Powys Police said.
The school will be closed on Thursday to allow police to “further carry out their investigations”.
Darren Price, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, told press outside the school: “To support Dyfed-Powys Police, Ysgol Dyffryn Aman will be closed tomorrow to all pupils and staff in order for officers to further carry out their investigations.
“Although the school will be closed, I want to reassure pupils, parents and staff that wellbeing support is available to anyone who’s been affected. The school will continue its lessons online.”
Mr Price praised the teachers, staff and pupils “for the way they responded to this shocking incident”.
He added: “As a council, our priority now is to do all that we can over the coming days and weeks to support the pupils and staff in the aftermath.”
Pupils were released from the school, which had been in lockdown since around 11am, from 3.20pm.
Many of the parents who had gathered outside the school tearfully hugged their children.
Charlotte Rogers, who was waiting for her daughter to come out of the Ammanford school, said: “She said she was scared. She’s a tough cookie so fingers crossed. I just want to give her a big hug. I just want everyone to be safe. This shouldn’t have happened.
“At the end of the day, they should have had measures in place beforehand, when they first opened the school, to make sure it was safe for them.”
Dyfed-Powys Police said: "Three people – two teachers and a teenage pupil – have been taken to hospital with stab wounds. The family members of all those injured have been informed.
“A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and currently remains in police custody.
“I would like to reassure parents and the public that the incident has concluded, and pupils have now left the school.
“We are working with the school and other agencies to ensure appropriate support is available to all involved.
“This was a very distressing incident and our thoughts are with the victims, their family and everyone impacted by what has happened.
“I am aware that there is footage of the incident currently circulating on social media and would ask that this is removed to avoid contempt of court and distress to those affected.
“I would also ask that people do not speculate while there is a police investigation ongoing.
“We are working with the school, Carmarthenshire County Council, and other agencies to ensure appropriate support is available to all involved.
“Local people will see more police in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary James Cleverly responded to news of the incident.
Mr Sunak tweeted: "Shocked at the news emerging from Ammanford today.
Shocked at the news emerging from Ammanford today.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 24, 2024
I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected.
"I want to thank the police and emergency services for their ongoing response and my thoughts are with all those affected."
Mr Cleverly said he is being informed of the incident and it’s important police are “given the space to carry out their investigations”.
Students were being escorted to the dinner hall for lunch and to the bathroom during the lockdown, according to WalesOnline.
Vaughan Gething, First Minister of Wales, said on X, formerly Twitter: “Shocked to hear news of the serious incident in Rhydaman [Ammanford]. A deeply worrying time for the school, families and community.”
Hundreds of parents were waiting outside the school gates to collect their children, the BBC reported.
Photographs from the scene show ambulances, police cars and air ambulance helicopters on the school grounds.
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, which translates as Aman Valley School in English, is a bilingual comprehensive school in west Wales attended by around 1,400 students.
Adam Price, Plaid Cymru member of the Senedd for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr, and a former pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, said his thoughts were with the school.
Mr Price posted on X: “As we wait for more information to be released, my thoughts, like the rest of us, are with the school’s community.”
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, described the incident as “extremely concerning”.
“The reports emerging from Ysgol Dyffryn Aman are extremely concerning,” Mr Davies said.
“Schools should be a place of safety, learning and discovery. It is deeply sad and distressing that today teachers and pupils have had that safety shattered by a violent incident.
“My thoughts are with all staff and pupils at the school, and we thank the emergency services for their work.”
