A 24-year-old man was stabbed at the Malaga Feria in the early hours of Monday, it has emerged.

The attack took place at around 4.15am in the attractions area of the Real fairground.

The victim was rushed to a hospital in Malaga city for treatment. His condition and the severity of his injuries have not yet been disclosed.

Police have also not released any information about the suspected attacker or attackers, while the circumstances leading up to the stabbing remain unclear.

It is the first serious incident to emerge from this year’s feria, which began on Saturday and is drawing thousands of revellers to the city.

The Policia Nacional has opened an investigation and officers are working to reconstruct the events.

The stabbing comes despite a major security operation for this year’s festivities involving 2,293 police officers, 193 more than last year.

Of those, 2,072 are from the Policia Nacional and 221 belong to the Guardia Civil, with an average of around 220 officers deployed on the streets each day.

The forces have also established bases inside the feria grounds.

Officers are carrying out checks to combat drug dealing and the possession of weapons, particularly knives.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.