Kim Hjelmgaard

USA TODAY

An Australian woman was arrested for murder in the killings of eight children, seven of whom are believed to be her own, police said Saturday. The children were found dead inside the woman's home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora.

The 37-year-old woman is recovering in a hospital from stab wounds herself.

Queensland police haven't said how the children died but are examining knives in the home that may have been the weapon used to kill them. The children ranged in age from 18 months to 14 years.

"We're not looking for anybody else — we're comfortable that the community at large is safe," said Queensland Police Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar.

The deaths come as Australia is still reeling from the shock of a deadly siege in a Sydney cafe earlier this week. On Monday, a gunman burst into a cafe in the heart of the city and took 18 people inside hostage. Two hostages were killed along with the gunman after police stormed in 16 hours later in a bid to end the siege.

"The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking," Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement. "All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country."

Lisa Thaiday, who said she was the woman's cousin, said the children were all siblings and that the woman was their mother. Thaiday said another sibling, a 20-year-old man, came home and found his brothers and sisters dead inside the house.

"I'm going to see him now, he needs comforting," Thaiday said. "We're a big family … I just can't believe it. We just found out (about) those poor babies."

Contributing: Associated Press