A parent, Jacky Huang, 43, said he rushed to the school after receiving a message from his daughter that there was someone allegedly wielding an axe in the school, Singapore’s The Straits Times reported.

He also showed the news publication text messages he received from his daughter at 11.50am and a video, allegedly taken on the school ground, of students running from the crime scene.

A crime scene investigation van, an ambulance and at least four police vehicles were spotted at Boong Lay Avenue at about 1pm.

The back gate was closed off but students who needed to leave the campus were allowed to do so after 2pm while the rest gathered at the school hall and were briefed by the school staff.

School staff had said there was supposed to be a lunch break at 1pm but the students were told to remain in their classrooms without any explanation being given.

The Straits Times said it has contacted the education ministry, police and the school for comments.

Students in RVHS are aged between 12 and 18. The school offers a six-year integrated programme which allows students to skip O-level exams and instead take their A-levels in their sixth year.