Eight children have been found dead at a house in Cairns in northern Queensland, say Australian police, the BBC reports.
Police said a 34-year-old woman who was the mother of at least seven of the children had been taken to hospital with stab wounds but was stable.
Police have not confirmed Australian reports that the children, aged between 18 months and 15 years, were stabbed.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement it was an “unspeakable crime”.
He said all parents would feel “gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened”.
The house in the Manoora suburb has been cordoned off and detectives are searching the yard.
Police have said it was a “tragic event” but there was no cause for public concern.
They have not made any arrests, but said the injured woman was assisting with their investigations.
