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A massive tragedy occurred in an Australian family today.
Eight children from one family, some as young as 18 months old, have been found stabbed to death at a home in Cairns in Queensland’s far north,Australia.
Emergency services were called to the Murray Street house in the Cairns suburb of Manoora at 11.20am local time on Friday, on reports a 34-year-old woman was seriously injured.
They found the bodies of eight children, aged between 18-months and 15-years old, inside
the house.
The injured woman is the mother of the eight children. Her cousin, Lisa Thaiday, told AAP the alarm was raised by a 20-year-old man, who is the brother of the eight children. He had reportedly returned home to find his brothers and sisters dead in their house.
Far north regional crime co-ordinator, Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar, said the woman was helping police with their inquiries but is not in police custody.
But he said the public had nothing to fear from the incident.
“As it stands at the moment there’s no need for the public to be concerned, other than it’s a tragic, tragic incident,” Asnicar said.
He said it was too early to say what had happened in the house, and would not comment on eyewitness reports that a man had been seen standing on in the front yard of the house earlier that day.
Addressing the media at the scene at 1.30pm local time, Asnicar said forensic officers were examining the Murray Street house, an operation he said which could take “several days”.
He himself has not yet been inside, but has been briefed on the number of victims.
“I can tell you that at this stage I believe there’s eight. As I told you at this stage the scene is locked down, that could go up or down,” he said.
Aniscar said police who first responded to the incident were distressed but acted professionally.
“These events are extremely distressing for everyone, of course, and police officers aren’t immune to that, we’re human beings as well. But the police we have here are very highly trained and professional ...
“This will be done to the nth degree and we will cover every angle.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the incident in Cairns was “heartbreaking” and an “unspeakable crime”.
“All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened,” he said.
Abbott said these were “trying days for our country”.
“Tonight, there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children. My thoughts are with the Queensland Police and all who have to respond to this terrible situation.”
Officers from the Cairns criminal investigation branch, the child protection and investigation unit and scenes of crime have set up a mobile facility at the scene.
A Murray Street resident, Stephen Lillingstone, told Guardian Australia the incident had occurred on a section of the street that was almost exclusively publicly owned housing.
“That area where it is is a bit rowdy,” he said. “You get your flare-ups and everything.” 8 children killed from one family? What kind of person stabs an 18 month old baby to death?Can't even comprehend this tragedy,it is terrible,my thoughts are with the relatives and the people of Australia.May all eight souls rest in peace.