His siblings had been massacred. The only signs of life came from a woman, the children's 37-year-old mother. She was suffering serious injuries to her torso and her neck. But she was alive and rushed to hospital. On Saturday morning, police said the woman had been arrested over the children's deaths. Police try to comfort a woman in Murray Street, Manoora, outside the Cairns house where the bodies of eight children were found. Credit:Dominic Chaplin Police and emergency services descended on the suburb on Friday, quickly blocking off the street. It was quickly labelled by police and reporters as one of the worst crime scenes in Queensland in recent memory. Coming in the same week as the Sydney siege deaths, Prime Minister Tony Abbott echoed the nation's thoughts when he called it "unspeakable".

"These are trying days for our country," he said. Flowers against a fence across the road from the scene of the multiple stabbing in Manoora. Credit:Getty Images "Tonight, there will be tears and prayers across our country for these children. "My thoughts are with the Queensland Police and all who have to respond to this terrible situation." Police at the scene where eight children died in a Cairns suburb. Credit:Getty Images

But police were quick to offer reassurance that they believed what happened at number 34 to be an isolated incident. "As it stands … there's no need for the public to be concerned about this other than that it's a tragic, tragic event. The situation is well controlled at the moment," Cairns Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said, adding that he didn't believe there to be "concerns for anyone else". Police at the scene in Murray St, Manoora, in Cairns. Credit:Dominic Chaplin "… The crime scene is being locked down. That includes from me. Nobody goes in there until our forensic people are finished and, until we have done that, we're not going to be able to clearly establish any relationships. "This is not a small job; we're not taking this lightly at all. We don't do that here in the Far North, This will be done to the nth degree and we will cover every angle before this is finished."

The tightknit, mostly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, quickly gathered, showing shock and dispair. Many told reporters they were related, calling the family cousins. They came from next door, the next street, the next suburb over. Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said he was "deeply saddened and shocked". "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those concerned," he said. "I'm also aware of the impact this will have on the emergency service workers and police officers who responded to the scene, and I have asked the acting ministers to make sure those individuals are receiving the support they need. "Indeed, the whole Cairns community and the people of Queensland will feel the effects of this tragedy, particularly at a time of year when families come together."

Mayor of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, Fred Gela, said he was related to the family, calling the woman who had been taken to hospital a cousin. He said the community and family was coming together to begin the grieving process. Not long after, the council released a statement asking for understanding and that the family not be named until all members had been alerted of the children's deaths. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the recent tragic events that have occurred in Cairns today. Due to strict cultural protocol, it is inappropriate for council to comment on the event. "Please respect our staff's privacy and cultural responsibilities during this time of grief. "Staff and families of staff are able to access our Employee Assistance Program and we encourage everyone to support and strengthen each other during this tragic time."

Forensic and specialist police were being flown the 1700 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns to assist with the investigation. The Department of Communities, which is believed to own the Murray Street home, was also sending a specialist team north, "to deal with the human and social recovery". "It is similar to community recovery," a spokeswoman said. The police investigation was expected to continue for days. Loading If people are feeling distressed, Lifeline can offer support on 13 11 14.

With Kristian Silva