News: 'An unspeakable crime'- 8 children found dead at home in Cairns, Australia

A relative has told of her horror after the bodies of eight children, believed to be siblings aged between 18 months and 15-years-old, were found dead at a Cairns home following a massacre just six days before Christmas. 

It is understood the children were stabbed and suffocated inside the house. A woman, 34, was also rushed to hospital in a critical condition with stab wounds to her chest but was assisting police. 

Cairns Regional Crime Co-ordinator Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said that the woman was the mother of seven of the dead children and the other child was related. He described the massacre as a 'tragic and traumatic event'.

The woman's devastated cousin, Lisa Thaiday earlier told reporters the woman was the children's mother. 'I just can't believe it,' she said. 'Those poor babies.' 

Scores of detectives, paramedics and forensic officers have swarmed over the home on Murray Street in Manoora, around 4km west of the coastal town's main tourist strip.