8 children stabbed to death at home in Cairns, Australia

One of two adults hospitalized following Friday's stabbing is mother to 7 of children killed: police

Cairns, Australia: Australian police are investigating the deaths of eight children after their bodies were found in a home in this tropical northern city.

The children, aged between 18 months and 15 years, were found at 11:20 am Thursday in the suburb of Manoora, Queensland Police said in a statement.

The 34-year-old mother of seven of the children is in a stable condition in the hospital and is helping police with their inquiries, Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar told reporters. Police have “no formal suspects,” said Asnicar, adding the “tragic and traumatic” event was among the worst he has encountered.

He declined to comment on how the children were killed, amid media reports many were stabbed.

'Unspeakable crime'

The incident is one of Australia’s worst mass killings and comes days after two hostages and a gunman were shot dead following a 16-hour siege in a Sydney cafe.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement: "This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country. Tonight, there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children."

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said: "I am deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic events in Cairns today. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those concerned. I am also aware of the impact this will have on the emergency service workers and police officers who are responding to the scene, and I have asked the Acting Ministers to make sure these individuals are receiving the support they need."

The children’s bodies were discovered by their 20-year-old brother, who is now being comforted by family members, the Cairns Post reported.

Newman said he would ensure the emergency services workers who attended the scene would be given counseling if needed.

“The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking,” Abbott said. “Tonight, there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children.”

The nation’s worst mass murder was at Port Arthur in Tasmania in 1996 when Martin Bryant shot dead 35 people.