British woman killed by man shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ at hostel in Queensland

A 21-year-old female British backpacker has died and a 30-year-old British man is in a critical condition after being stabbed at a backpackers’ hostel in Queensland by a man who allegedly shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’.

The British woman has been identified as Mia Ayliffe-Chung, who was travelling in Australia, and was described by friends as an ‘infectiously happy young girl’.

Queensland Police Service said up to 30 people witnessed the ‘senseless act of violence’ in which a 46-year-old local man also suffered non life-threatening injuries.

A dog at the hostel was also killed in the attack.

The attack took place at Shelley’s Backpackers accommodation in Home Hill, police said.

The stabbing took place at an accommodation complex in the Home Hill area of Queensland at around 11.15pm local time on Tuesday, police said.

In a press conference, deputy police commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the investigation was in its early stages and all motivations were being considered, including criminal and political, as well as the impact of drugs and mental health problems.

He said: ‘Initial inquiries indicate that comments which may be construed as being of an extremist nature were made by the alleged offender.

‘It is alleged that the suspect used the phrase ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the attack and when arrested by police.’

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder from the Queensland Police Service said officers were confronted with a ‘terrible scene’ when they arrived.

The woman was found dead at the scene and the British man was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Mr Gollschewski said the families of both victims had been contacted with the help of the British consulate.

He said: ‘Our thoughts and condolences are with those families and their loved ones at this difficult time.’

He said he could not tell reporters how long they had been in the country and whether they knew each other was part of the investigation but they were all staying at the same accommodation.

The 46-year-old man has been released from hospital. Police said a dog had also been fatally injured in the attack.

The man taken into custody has been transferred to hospital for treatment for what police believe are non life-threatening injuries sustained in the incident.

He is a visitor to Australia who has been in the country since around March on a temporary visa and has no known local connections, Mr Gollschewski said.

He said they were still trying to find out what he has been doing in the country since his arrival but he was not known to police before the attack.

Police are not searching for anyone else in relation to the incident and there is no known ongoing threat to the community.

Mr Gollschewski added: ‘This is not about race or religion. It is individual criminal behaviour.’

Queensland Police said on Twitter: ‘This was a senseless act of violence.’

‘Our community should feel reassured that the investigation is thorough.’

Australian Federal Police and the country’s Border Force are also involved in the investigation.