The Australian police said eight children have been found dead at a house in Cairns, northern Queensland.
Police said a 34-year-old woman had been taken to hospital with stab wounds but was stable.
The details of the incident and the woman’s relationship to the children, aged between 18 months and 15 years, are not yet clear.
Tony Abbott, Australian Prime Minister said in a statement that it was an “unspeakable crime,” and that 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.
