This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/cairns-deaths-eight-children-found-dead-at-house-in-australia-9934927.html

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cairns deaths: Eight children found dead at house in Australia Cairns deaths: Eight children as young as 18 months 'stabbed to death' in Australia
(35 minutes later)
Eight children have been found dead after reportedly being stabbed to death at a house in northern Queensland in Australia. Eight children have been stabbed to death in Cairns, plunging Australia into a new wave of grief as the country reels from a deadly siege in Sydney.
State police said they were called to the home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora on Friday morning after receiving a report of a woman with serious injuries. Seven of the victims, aged between 18 months and 15 years, were siblings and another is believed to be a family member, police said.
They found the bodies of the children - who range in age from 18 months to 15 years - inside. Their 34-year-old mother was found at the home with stab wounds to her chest and is being treated in hospital.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a 34-year-old woman was also found, suffering from stab wounds to the chest. Queensland Police said they were called to the house in the quiet suburb of Manoora on Friday morning after receiving a report of a woman with serious injuries.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said that the woman was receiving treatment for her wounds and was in stable condition at a hospital. He said he had no further information, including how the children were killed. When officers arrived, they found the bodies of the children inside and the injured mother, who is now in a stable condition in hospital.
“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,” Mr Asnicar said. “The situation is well controlled at the moment. There shouldn't be any concern for anyone else out of this environment.” Police said there are no formal suspects at this stage and attempted to reassure the community that there is no wider threat.
Detectives were speaking with neighbours and police have not yet determined the relationship between all of the children and the woman. The tragedy comes as Australia continues to mourn the victims of a deadly siege in a Sydney cafe earlier this week.
But Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the woman's cousin, told the Associated Press that the children were all siblings and that the woman was their mother. Ms Thaiday said another sibling, a 20-year-old man, came home and found his brothers and sisters dead inside the house. On Monday, a lone gunman took 18 people hostage, killing two after police stormed in 16 hours later in a bid to free them.
“I'm going to see him now, he needs comforting,” Ms Thaiday said. “We're a big family ... I just can't believe it. We just found out (about) those poor babies.”  “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,” Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said. “The situation is well controlled at the moment. There shouldn't be any concern for anyone else out of this environment.”
The street has been cordoned off and a crime scene will remain in place for at least the next day while dozens of police swarm the home. Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the woman's cousin, told reporters it was another sibling, a 20-year-old man, who came home to find his brothers and sisters dead.
“These events are extremely distressing for everyone of course and police officers aren't immune from that — we're human beings as well,” Mr Ascinar said. “I'm going to see him now, he needs comforting,” she added. “We're a big family ... I just can't believe it. We just found out (about) those poor babies.”
Earlier this week, Australia was hit with tragedy after a deadly siege in Sydney. Gunman Man Haron Monis burst into the Lindt cafe and took 18 people inside hostage. Two hostages were killed along with the gunman after police stormed in 16 hours later in a bid to end the siege. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Australia is going through “trying days” after yet more bloodshed.
“The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement. “All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country.” “The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking,” he added. “All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country.”
Police said they could not officially confirm how the children died or formally identify them until post-mortems were carried out.
Dozens of officers were swarming around the house after cordoning off the residential street on Friday, as children gathered at the line and played on swings nearby.
Child trauma specialists, murder detectives and support staff have been flown to Cairns, in Australia’s tropical far north, to assist local police.
The children’s families are also being given professional counselling by liaison officers.
Superintendent Russell Miller asked that the community remained calm and refrained from speculating on social media to allow police to do their job.
“Obviously it’s going to be a very complex investigation, it’s going to take time,” he added.
“I’m sure at the end of the day we’ll be able to get the answers people need.”
He said there was “no indication whatsoever” of any wider threat but that a community recovery plan was being put in place to help people come to terms with the tragedy.
When asked about the timing of the mass-murder just a week before Christmas, he said: “It’s devastating at any time of the year and some of the police who were on the scene earlier were young junior officers so we’re giving them the support they need.”
Vigils are being held across Australia for the victims, including at Cairns City Church.
Additional reporting by APAdditional reporting by AP