Four British tourists have been stabbed in a mass brawl on Mallorca after two street vendors were accused of stealing phones and a wallet.

The fight, in the early hours of Saturday morning, is said to have caused alarm along the party strip in Magaluf, with other people joining in and some of those involved left bleeding.

Local media reported that when one of the British men spotted the theft the street vendors fled, but that a knife was then brandished, prompting the “massive fight”.

An ambulance crew happened to be nearby as the fracas erupted, in the Punta Ballena area of the popular party resort, according to CronicaBalear.es.

“The ambulance staff went to the scene but at first could only see lots of people, a lot of blood, and it took them some time to locate the people who required their services,” the site reported.

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One victim had managed to catch his alleged attacker and hold him by the neck, and an ambulanceman helped to restrain him until police arrived.

Because of the number of people injured, ambulance crews had to call in reinforcements.

Police say five people were injured, including an alleged attacker. All were taken to Son Espases hospital.

The condition of the four British men has not been revealed but none was thought to have life-threatening injuries.

The man being questioned on suspicion of the stabbing, who is said to be in a “fair” condition, will be arrested as soon as he leaves hospital, officials say.

An investigation is under way into the brawl, which happened at 4.15am and left a large amount of blood on the pavement.

Earlier this month it was revealed that police were stepping up security in Magaluf because of the high number of tourists being mugged by “mafia” groups.

Eight people, many of them also acting as street vendors, were arrested in just a few hours for robbery two weeks ago in the Calvia district.

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