The busy Chapel Street thoroughfare in Prahran remains closed as police investigate a fatal stabbing during a busy night in Melbourne’s inner east.

Police were called after reports of a fight involving up to six people on the busy nightclub strip about 1:30am on Sunday.

A 30-year-old man from Mickelham was found with multiple stab wounds and was rushed to hospital, but died before he arrived.

Detective Acting Inspector Chris Ellway said the altercation and stabbing happened in front of many late-night revellers and passing traffic.

“Police had some difficulties, I suppose, trying to contain what was quite a large scene on a busy street,” he told me. He stated that witnesses to the attack would have found it confronting. “No one wants to see violence when they go out for a good time with their friends and family,” Acting Inspector Ellway said. “The public should be just as shocked as all of us to see those sort of things, so I hope they come forward and give us as [much] information as they can.”

Acting Inspector Ellway stated that a pistol was also discovered nearby. “Police have seized what appears to be a firearm or an imitation firearm from within the vicinity of the scene and we’ll be exploring whether that’s related to that assault.” At this point, no arrests have been made. Chapel Street was previously regarded as a luxury shopping area and tourist draw. However, it has become synonymous with late-night violence and crime, including fire bombs. Acting Inspector Ellway stated that the altercation did not begin in a nightclub. “We’ll be seeking the cooperation from the venues all along here and looking at CCTV.”

Woman critical after assault at Barwon Heads

Meanwhile, in an unconnected instance, a woman is struggling for life following a violent assault in the beautiful coastal town of Barwon Heads, near Geelong. Police said a woman aged in her 40s was involved in an altercation on Bridge Road just before 11pm on Saturday. She was transported to Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries.

The woman was flown to hospital in a critical condition.(ABC News)

A 55-year-old guy was also taken to the hospital under police guard for treatment of his injuries. He was released on Sunday morning and put into police custody for questioning by detectives.

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