This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-37171751
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK woman stabbed to death at Australian backpackers' hostel | UK woman stabbed to death at Australian backpackers' hostel |
| (about 1 hour 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | Mr Gollschewski said officers were "not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be political or criminal". |
| He said the woman was the first person to be attacked and the incident was being treated as a murder case, not a terror attack. | |
| "Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drugs misuse factors are involved in this incident," he added. | "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". | 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 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. | 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. | "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." |