8 siblings found stabbed to death at their home in Cairns, Australia

The bodies of eight children who are siblings and aged between 18 months and 15-years-old, were found at a home in Cairns, Australia in the early hours of today Dec. 19th following a massacre.

Their mother was also stabbed but she survived and is currently in critical condition in the hospital.

Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said that the woman was the mother of seven of the dead children with the other child a relation. He described the massacre as a 'tragic and traumatic event'. Scores of detectives, paramedics and forensic officers have swarmed over the home on Murray St in Manoora, around 4km west of the coastal town's main tourist strip. 

Details about what investigators found inside the house has not been revealed but a neighbour said she had been told there were bloody scenes 'everywhere' inside. Officers who arrived first on the scene said it was like 'something out of a horror movie'. Specialist police officers are now on their way from Brisbane to help with the situation and the crime scene is completely locked down.

'There's not much else we can say, but what we have a range of strategies in place to support the family through this very difficult time,' Detective Inspector Asnicar said.

'It's a tragic and traumatic with so many deceased in one place. It's right up there with some of the most serious things I've ever had to deal with.' 

Ms Thaiday said another sibling, a 20-year-old man, arrived home to discover his brothers and sisters dead inside the house. 

He is now being consoled by other family members. 

'I'm going to see him now, he needs comforting,' Ms Thaiday said. She described the family and extended relatives as close-knit and many live in surrounding suburbs. 

'We're a big family and most of us are from the (Torres) Strait,' she said, adding that she rushed to the scene after hearing about the incident on the radio.