MELBOURNE
Police in northern Australia have discovered eight dead children and a woman suffering from stab wounds to her chest and neck at a home in the city of Cairns.
Queensland police arrived at the house in the suburb of Manoora after receiving a call at around 11.20 a.m. Friday reporting that a woman, in her 30s, had sustained serious injuries, national news broadcaster ABC reported.
Eight bodies belonging to the children, ranging between 18 months and 15 years in age, were recovered during the examination, while the woman – in stable condition at a local hospital -- was assisting in police inquiries.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar did not say whether the woman – believed to be the mother of seven of the children -- was a suspect.
"As it stands at the moment, there's no need for the public to be concerned about this other than the fact that it's a tragic, tragic event," ABC quoted him as saying. "The situation is well controlled at the moment.
National news agency AAP cited a woman claiming to be the woman’s cousin as saying the victims had been discovered by their 20-year-old sibling upon his arrival home.
“We’re a big family and most of us are from the (Torres) Strait,” she said. “I just can’t believe it. We just found out, those poor babies.”
Larry Woosup told the ABC said the adult residents were his niece and nephew.
"I just heard about it. My family just rang because they're worried about our sister," he is quoted as saying. “Some of them are my sister's kids.”
Asnicar stated the crime scene would be cordoned off for several days amid a forensic investigation.
"The crime scene is being locked down and that includes from me - nobody goes in there until our forensic people go in there," he said, according to the ABC.
Explaining that police are speaking with the 20-year-old man, whose relationship to the victims remains unconfirmed, Asnicar told reporters that “anybody who has been involved is a person of interest.”
In a statement, Prime Minister Tony Abbott referred to the incient as “heartbreaking" and “an unspeakable crime.”
"All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened,” he said. "These are trying days for our country.”
Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said in a statement, “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those concerned.”
He added: “Indeed, the whole Cairns community and the people of Queensland will feel the effects of this tragedy, particularly at a time of year when families come together.”
A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for 06.00 p.m. at Munro’s Martin Park.
www.aa.com.tr/en
