TWO 17-year-old boys have been charged following an alleged stabbing in Ballarat North yesterday afternoon.
They have been charged with affray and assault and will appear at a Children's Court today.
A third teenager who was arrested last night has been released, but will continue to assist police with their inquiries.
The victim of the alleged stabbing, who has been released from hospital, will also continue to work with police.
The victim underwent surgery after the incident.
Police say the fight took place at the corner of Ligar and Walker streets about 3.45pm.
Detective Sergeant Steve Howard from the Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit described the brawl as a nasty incident.
“There was a fracas, or fight began between two groups where a knife was produced and a male was stabbed,” he said.
“He received a puncture wound to his left side of his lower abdomen which required him to attend hospital.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the 32-year-old victim was taken to hospital with stab wounds in a serious but stable condition.
Detective Sergeant Howard said several to a dozen people were involved in the fight, with some yet to be identified.
“We were called out and went to the house and spoke to people around there, which resulted in the arrests of three people.”
Yesterday afternoon, the weapon had not been located, despite police scouring the nearby Midlands Reserve, where they believed the weapon had been disposed of.
“A sword has been mentioned as the weapon, but we are keeping an open mind,” he said.
Detective Sergeant Steve Howard said the fight could take weeks of investigating.
Any witnesses to the fight should contact the Ballarat Crime Investigative Unit on 5336 6080.