A British woman has died and a British man is in a critical condition in hospital after being stabbed at a backpackers' hostel in Australia.
The 21-year-old has been named by friends paying tribute online as Mia Ayliffe-Chung, from Derbyshire.
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Police said her alleged attacker is a 29-year-old French national who reportedly shouted "Allahu akbar" during the attack, which took place on Tuesday night at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill, south of Townsville in Queensland.
He is in custody but no charges have been brought. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and there was no wider threat to the community. The Frenchman has been in Australia for a year on a temporary visa, was not previously known to police, and has no known local connections.
"The investigation is still in its early stages. However, initial inquiries indicate that comments which may be construed as of an extremist nature were made by the alleged offender," Queensland police service Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski told journalists.
"It is alleged the suspect used the phrase, 'Allahu akbar' during the attack and when arrested by police.
"While this information will be factored into the investigation we are not ruling out any motivations at this stage, whether they be political or criminal. Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drug misuse are factors in this incident."
Ayliffe-Chung was pronounced dead at the scene, while the British man was taken to Townsville hospital. A 46-year-old local man received non-life-threatening injuries and has been released from hospital, while a dog at the backpackers' hostel died during the incident.
Police in Queensland said the families of the Britons had been contacted and were being offered support.
Ayliffe-Chung had been waitressing in the Gold Coast, Queensland, but had recently begun working in the sugar cane harvest to extend her working holiday visa. Her Facebook page shows her counting down the days until she could return.
PA
A UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson told BuzzFeed News: "We are working with local authorities and providing support to the families of a British national who was killed and another critically injured in an incident in Australia. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."
Ayliffe-Chung attended Anthony Gell School in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, up until GCSE level.
A statement from the 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."
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