FACEBOOK Mia Ayliffe-Chung was killed while backpacking Down Under

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Smail Ayad allegedly screamed 'Allahu Akbar' as he killed backpacker Mia Ayliffe-chung in front of horrified witnesses. The 29-year-old is said to have been "obsessed" with the British woman and allegedly told other guests at their hotel they were "deeply in love" and married, the local Townsville Bulletin reported. He has been arrested by police but has not yet been formally charged. Miss Ayliffe-Chung, 21, had been travelling around Australia, and had previously studied childcare at Buxton College and psychology at Chesterfield College in the UK. Friends have begun to pay tribute to the woman described as "truly beautiful". Kyle Godwin wrote: "Today the world has lost one of the most beautiful young women to ever walk this planet. "Today I lost a best friend. A girl like no other, one of the happiest, full of energy, delightful, energetic and hilarious girl I've come across. "Even though I've only known you for a short amount of time it feels like we have been best friends for years, we just seemingly clicked and were like two peas in a pod. "I will miss you forever Mia. The only good news to come from this is that heaven has truly gained a beautiful soul." Miss Ayliffe-Chung was killed at the Home Hill Hostel, north Queensland, Australia, last night in front of 30 horrified onlookers. A 30-year-old British man named Tom Jackson has been left fighting for his life in hospital while a dog was also stabbed to death, according to Australian media. A local man, 46, was also taken to hospital with a stab wound to the leg but he has now been released. WHAT DOES 'ALLAHU AKBAR' MEAN?

FACEBOOK Mia Ayliffe-Chung has been named locally as the Australia stabbing victim

Miss Ayliffe-Chung went to Ecclesbourne School in Duffield, Derbyshire, before moving to Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth, Matlock, in Year 9. Miss Ayliffe-Chung, who called herself Mimi, had been working as a waitress at The Bedroom nightclub in Surfers Paradise for the last six months. She left the Gold Coast for Townsville 10 days ago to start farm work to allow her to extend her working holiday visa. Paying tribute to Miss Ayliffe-Chung, Paul Lovatt, the Head of Pastoral Care at Anthony Gell School, said: "Everyone at the school is shocked and saddened at the news that Mia has lost her life in the most tragic of circumstances. "We knew Mia as a student with so much joy and energy who was well-liked by her friends and teachers. "She joined our school in Year 9 and flourished here both in making strong friendships and in achieving high level GCSEs. "Mia was a bubbly student who was energetic, caring and who immersed herself in life, enriching the school environment she contributed to. "Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this most difficult of times." Zoe Atkinson, 22, said she was proud of her backpacker friend who had a passion of always "standing up for what she he felt was right". Miss Atkinson, who lives in Matlock, Derbyshire, said: "Mia was the most fun live wire you could ever come across. "There was never a dull moment with her. "Her passion was so alive you could feel it when around her. "She always stood up for what she felt was right. "She had huge amounts of empathy and loved very strongly. "I am proud that she lived her dreams and that's all I ever wanted for her."

FACEBOOK Miss Ayliffe-Chung, 21, had been fruit picking in Australia when she was killed

As we understand it the French gentleman has attacked both the two British nationals Superintendent Ray Rohweder

The horror scenes unfolded at the hostel 60 miles south of Townsville, overnight. Police said they were greeted by "terrible scenes" when they arrived at the hostel. The 29-year-old suspect allegedly repeated the Arabic phrase – which means God is greatest – when arrested by Queensland police. Superintendent Ray Rohweder said: “We’re still trying to piece together what has happened, as you can imagine there were a lot of people present at the time, there are in excess of 30 witnesses, but as we understand it the French gentleman has attacked both the two British nationals.” Emily Waters, a British woman who was staying at the hostel, wrote on Facebook: “All my friends literally had to stand and watch the poor girl get murdered. I literally can't believe it. “I can't stop watching the news. I've just been told the guy who has done this is a guy who I lived with there for the whole time.” One witness, known only as Ray, told Australian media he heard "blood-curdling screams" around the time of the attack.

Facebook Mia Ayliffe-Chu has been named locally as the woman killed in a horror hostel stabbing in Australia

TWITTER One woman has been killed after a stabbing in Australia

Queensland's deputy police commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the alleged offender, 29, who has been arrested, “maybe construed as being of an extremist nature”. He added: “This person appears to have acted alone." But police are “not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be criminal or political”. Investigators are also considering whether “mental health or drug misuse” issues were a factor in the attack. The Frenchman, who was taken to hospital before arrested, is not currently being held under anti-terror laws and is yet to be charged.

SEVEN Police are yet to charge the French national

SEVEN One man was taken from the scene on crutches

A spokesman from the British High Commission in Canberra said: “We are working with local authorities and providing support to the families after one British national was killed and another critically injured in an incident in Australia. “Our thoughts are with the families at this difficult time. High commission staff have deployed to Townsville and we remain in close contact with local authorities.” Australian Federal Police Commander Sharon Cowden said the community should remain vigilant after the "shocking" incident. She added: ”This was a senseless act of violence and it's not tolerated in our society. "Through our international relationships, with international law enforcement, we are speaking with all the appropriate international law enforcement.

ABC Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said one man has been arrested

GOOGLEMAPS The incident happened at a tourist hotspot