According to Malaysian police, a man possessing a machete and a hammer is holding 30 kindergarten children and teachers hostage.

District police officer Suhaimi Ahmad says the man barged into the kindergarten in southern Johor state early on Thursday. He says police have cordoned off the area and are negotiating with the man, says an AP report.

At least one child is feared dead so far according to reports. According to The Star, the man has told negotiators to give him a gun or he would kill the children.