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UK woman stabbed to death at Australian backpackers' hostel | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A 21-year-old British woman has died after she was attacked with a knife in front of 30 people at an Australian backpackers' hostel. | |
A 30-year-old British man was also severely injured in the attack, near Townsville, in Queensland. | |
Police are investigating whether the alleged attacker, who has been arrested, was motivated by extremism. | |
It is alleged the 29-year-old French suspect used the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" during the attack. | It is alleged the 29-year-old French suspect used the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" during the attack. |
The stabbing took place at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill - a small town which is popular among travellers looking to do agricultural work, such as fruit picking. | |
It is located about 100km south-east of the city of Townsville. | |
The injured man remains in Townsville Base Hospital in a critical condition. A dog was also killed in the attack and a 46-year-old local man sustained minor injuries. | |
Motive unclear | Motive unclear |
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the suspect was a visitor to Australia who had been in the country since around March on a temporary visa. He has no known local connections. | |
Mr Gollschewski said officers were "not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be political or criminal". | |
"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drugs misuse factors are involved in this incident," he added. | |
Queensland Police described the attack as "a senseless act of violence". | |
"We don't have any motive at this stage," said Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder on Twitter. | |
"We're taking a number of statements in relation to what exactly was said on the evening." | "We're taking a number of statements in relation to what exactly was said on the evening." |
Meanwhile, British high commissioner to Australia, Menna Rawlings, is travelling to Townsville. | |
"We are working with local authorities and providing support to the families after one British national was killed and another was critically injured in an incident in Australia," a spokeswoman for the commission said. | |
"Our thoughts are with the families at this difficult time." | "Our thoughts are with the families at this difficult time." |