BANGKOK, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- One person was injured after a gunman opened fire and took a number of students and teachers hostage at a school in southern Thailand on Wednesday, local media reported.

(Photo: Sun Guangyong/People's Daily)

The incident began at around 4:45 p.m. local time in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province, when the assailant breached the school premises near dismissal time.

Local police, alongside special operations units and rescue teams, have cordoned off the area to contain the situation.

Authorities are currently evacuating individuals while administrative officials try to negotiate with the gunman.