| Australian police are investigating possible extremist links in a stabbing attack in Queensland |
A 21-year-old British woman has died
after she was attacked with a knife in front of 30 people at an
Australian backpacker hostel.
It is alleged the 29-year-old French suspect used the Arabic phrase "Allahu akbar" during the attack. "We are not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be political or criminal," said Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
"Investigators will also consider whether mental health or drugs misuse factors are involved in this incident." The stabbing took place at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill, a small town located about 100km south-east of Townsville that is a popular place for backpackers to pick up agricultural work.