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 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cairns deaths: Eight children found dead at house in Australia | Cairns deaths: Eight children found dead at house in Australia |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Eight children have been found dead after reportedly being stabbed to death at a house in northern Queensland in Australia. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| They found the bodies of the children - who range in age from 18 months to 15 years - inside. | They found the bodies of the children - who range in age from 18 months to 15 years - inside. |
| A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a 34-year-old woman was also found, suffering from stab wounds to the chest. | A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a 34-year-old woman was also found, suffering from stab wounds to the chest. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Detectives were speaking with neighbours and police have not yet determined the relationship between all of the children and the woman. | Detectives were speaking with neighbours and police have not yet determined the relationship between all of the children and the woman. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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. | “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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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,” 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.” |
| Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |