UK woman killed in stabbing attack in Australian hostel

A  29-year-old French man carried out a stabbing attack that left a 21-year-old British woman dead in front of up to 30 onlookers at a backpackers hostel in Australia’s north-east, near Townsville, in Queensland.

A 30-year-old British man was also severely injured in the attack.

Police are reportedly investigating whether the alleged attacker, who has been arrested, was motivated by extremism, due to allegations that he shouted "Allahu akbar" during the attack.

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the suspect was a visitor to Australia who had been in the country since around March on a temporary visa.

"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drugs misuse factors are involved in this incident," Gollschewski said. “This is not about race or religion, it is about individual criminal behaviour,” he added.

Gollschewski said that the attacker was not being held under federal anti-terrorist laws but state criminal laws, with investigators considering charges including murder and attempted murder.