Perth deaths: Woman and children among up to five bodies found at home in Australian city

A Western Police official said there were both adults and children involved, with the exact number unknown

Violent crime with multiple victims is rare in Australia but this is the second major incident in Western Australia this year (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

A woman and children are among up to five people who were found dead by police at their home in Australia.

“This is early and we’ve not yet fully examined the scene. We understand that there are adults and children involved,” Western Australia Police assistant commissioner Paul Steel told a news conference.

Mr Steel said up to five bodies had been found at the scene in Perth when police arrived at noon. Investigators were still there.

“I can say there was at least one woman but I can’t say more than that I’m afraid. The scene has not yet been forensically examined so the exact number of adults and children is actually unknown to me,” Mr Steel said.

He did not say how the people died or if any weapons were found.

A man in his 20s attended a regional Western Australia police station and provided information which caused police to attend the home.

Mr Steel said the man is currently in custody and assisting police with their enquiries, adding there was no danger to the public.

Violent crime with multiple victims is rare in Australia but this is the second major incident in Western Australia this year.

Seven people were shot and killed in the state in May.

Gun crime in Australia fell sharply after strict controls were introduced in response to a mass shooting in 1996, when a lone gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania.

Reuters