Eight brothers and sisters aged from 18-months to 15 years old have been found stabbed to death in a house in Australia, prompting the nation’s leader Tony Abbott to lament that “these are trying days for our country”.
The gruesome scene was discovered by an older brother, aged 20, who arrived home to find his younger brothers and sisters dead.
The mass murder was not believed to be terrorism-related but comes just days after a siege in Sydney which left two people and the gunman dead.
Mr Abbott, Australia's prime minister, said the “heartbreaking” crime has plunged Australia into national mourning.
“This is an unspeakable crime,” he said in a statement. “Tonight there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children.”
The murders occurred in a suburban house in Cairns, a northern coastal city and popular holiday destination in the state of Queensland. A 34-year-old woman was reportedly injured and taken to hospital.
A cousin of the family said the victims were all siblings from a family that was “mostly” indigenous. She said the slain children were discovered by an older brother, aged 20.
“I’m going to see him now, he needs comforting,” the woman told AAP.
Forensic police arrive at the house in Cairns (AP)
“We’re a big family and most of us are from the [Torres] Strait. I just can’t believe it. We just found out [about] those poor babies.”
Authorities said the incident occurred at about 11.20am, local time, in the suburb of Manoora.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said it was “a tragic, tragic event” but he was not aware whether the children were all from one family.
“As it stands at the moment, there is no need for the public to be concerned… The situation is under control… We'll cover every angle before this is finished.”
Police said in a statement they were called to the house at 11.20am following reports of a woman with serious injuries.
“During an examination of the residence police located the bodies of the children, all aged between 18 months and 15 years,” the statement said.
Police said the house would be locked down for several days until forensic investigators had finished gathering evidence.
"These events are extremely distressing for everyone of course and police officers aren't immune from that,” said Detective Inspector Asnicar. “We're human beings as well, however the police that we have here are very highly trained and professional people and they're going about their job in the way that I would expect them to."
Campbell Newman, the state premier, said he was “deeply saddened and shocked”.
