In a week already filled with tragedy, Queensland police have found the bodies of eight children who have been tragically stabbed to death in a Cairns home.
The children are said to be aged between 18 months and 15-years-old.
Officers have surrounded a house in Murray Street in the Western Cairns suburb of Manoora where the bodies were found.
Two adults have been taken to hospital including a 34-year-old woman, thought to be the mother of the eight children, with multiple stab wounds. She sustained stab wounds to the chest and is helping police with their investigations.
Heartbreakingly, relatives at the scene said the another sibling, a 20-year-old man, arrived home to find the bodies of his brothers and sisters inside the house.
There is no further information on the condition of the second person.
According to neighbours, the eight children lived in the home with their stepfather.
The street – now blocked off by a swarm of officers – is made up of a mix of both private and public housing.
While it was previously an area locals would chose to avoid, that stigma has been lifted in recent years and the area has become more popular with people looking to buy property in Cairns.
Detectives and ambulance officers are still at the scene and currently searching the backyard of the property for further information.
“As we progress further we will be sharing more from ht einvestigation,” Cairns Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said.
A team of investigators from Brisbane will arrive at the house tonight to assist further in the investigation.
In a week already filled with tragic events, police have asked the public not to be concerned.
“As it stands at the moment there’s no need for the public to be concerned about this other than it’s a tragic event. The situation is well controlled at the moment there’s no concern for anyone else in the environment,” Inspector Asnicar said.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has released a statement saying that: “All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what’s happened.”
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has also released a statement saying he was shocked by the news.
“I ask that all Queenslanders reach out to those who may need support in coming days and do not hesitate to ask for professional assistance if needed,” he said.
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