Eight Children Found Dead in Mass Stabbing at Queensland House, Mother Injured

Police stand with their bicycles as they watch a small protest outside the venue of the G20 finance ministers and central bankers in the northern Australian city of Cairns September 21, 2014. Financial leaders of the Group of 20 top economies remain committed to chasing higher global growth, but were divided on how to achieve it as Germany pushed back at calls from the United States and others for more immediate stimulus. But the efforts of the finance ministers and central bankers, meeting this weekend in the tropical Australia tourist town of Cairns, risk being drowned out by growing alarm over geopolitical tensions and increased market volatility. Reuters/Stuart McDill

Eight children were reported to have been killed at Cairns. Authorities confirmed that it was believed to be a mass stabbing in far north Queensland.

In addition to the eight children, a 34-year-old woman was also injured in the mass stabbing. The children, who were killed in the tragedy, were aged between 18 months to 15 years. No further details about the incident are available at the moment. ABC News reported that emergency crews had been called to an address in Murray Street at Manoora around 11:20am (AEST). Thereafter, it was declared to be a crime scene. A police statement says that officers located the dead bodies of the children during an examination of the residence. The ages of the children are also confirmed in the statement. "The woman is receiving treatment for her injuries and is currently assisting police with their investigations," the report says.

The injured woman, who has been rushed to hospital, is believed to be helping investigating officers with the inquiries. Her cousin, Lisa Thaiday, confirmed that the woman was the mother of the dead children. Daily Telegraph reports that more than a dozen police cars reported to the scene. In addition, most senior detective inspectors of the region are also seen on site. A mobile police facility was established in the crime scene. An examination and investigation is being conducted by officers from Scenes of Crime and Scientific section, Child Protection and Investigation Unit and the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch. Cairns is considered to be a crime hotspot while Manoora is described as a "struggling" region of Cairns. Officers said that the public should not be concerned even though the incident was described as a "tragic, tragic event."

ABC reporter Sharnie Kim also reported that there were police officers at the house where the bodies had been found. "There are about a dozen police vehicles at the scene including the region's most senior detective inspectors," she said, "Part of the road has been blocked off and a police paddy wagon with lights flashing is at the property as well." According to the reporter, the property has a small park at the back. Media people are around 20 metres away from the property. Police are believed to hold a media briefing soon.

We can confirm Cairns detectives have established a crime scene & begun an investigation into the deaths of 8 children in Manoora today.
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) December 19, 2014