The city of Cairns in northern Queensland has been left in shock after eight children were found dead in a family home.
Australian police have confirmed the children’s deaths and said that a 34-year-old woman who was the mother of at least seven of the children had been hospitalized with stab wounds.
The Queensland Police said in a statement:
“During an examination of the residence police located the bodies of the children, all aged between 18 months and 15 years.”
Officer Bruno Asnicar of the Cairns Police stated during a press briefing the scenes his officers had witnessed in the home were "extremely distressing."
The Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also reacted to the incident saying in a statement it was an "unspeakable crime" and that all parents would feel "gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened".
No attacker has been identified neither have any arrests been made but the mother of the children is said to be aiding the police in their investigation.
This comes just days after a gunman, Haron Monis took citizens hostage on Tuesday, December 16, at the Lindt Café in Sydney, Australia.