Three men have been taken to hospital after allegedly being stabbed during an altercation in Canterbury, in Sydney's south-west, early Monday morning.

NSW Police were called after three men separately presented at Canterbury Hospital with stab wounds between approximately midnight and 1:20 AM on Monday, 7 September 2026. Emergency services treated the injured men before they were transferred to hospitals across Sydney for further medical care.

The three men are aged 18, 23 and 24. Police have described the incident as a targeted altercation and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The 24-year-old and 23-year-old men were reported to be in a serious but stable condition, while the 18-year-old was described as stable. Police established crime scenes both at the location where the confrontation allegedly occurred and at Canterbury Hospital as investigators began gathering evidence.

According to police, the three men were believed to have been involved in an altercation outside a fast-food outlet near the intersection of Canterbury Road and Fore Street.

Investigators are examining what led to the confrontation and the sequence of events that resulted in the three men suffering stab wounds. Police have indicated that the attack is believed to have been targeted rather than a random incident.

One knife has been recovered by investigators, while police are continuing to search for another weapon believed to be connected with the incident.

Detectives are reviewing available information, including CCTV footage, witness accounts and other evidence gathered from the crime scenes. Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in the Canterbury area around the time of the incident.

The incident has prompted a police investigation into a serious act of violence in the Sydney south-west community. Officers are working to establish the identities and actions of everyone involved and determine exactly how the confrontation escalated.

Police have urged members of the public who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant dashcam or mobile-phone footage to come forward.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Campsie Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police have warned that people should not approach anyone they believe may be connected with the incident. Information should instead be provided directly to investigators.

The three injured men remain under medical care while police continue their investigation. The circumstances surrounding the alleged stabbing are still being established, and further charges may depend on the evidence gathered by detectives.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police are expected to provide further information as inquiries progress.