Special policemen work at the site of an attack in Changsha. [Photo by Changsha Evening News]

CHANGSHA -- A group of knife-wielding assailants attacked civilians on Friday morning on a street in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan province, according to local authorities.

Xinhua reporters said they saw three bodies lying on the ground in Wujialing Community, north Changsha City.

Police officers and ambulances were at the site, which has been cordoned off.

Postings on Weibo, China's equivalent to Twitter, said the violence occurred near a food market, quoting witnesses.

Guoqing Primary School nearby has been closed and students are not allowed to leave the campus.