Five children die, more injured in Australian bouncy castle accident

Five children died and several were critically injured in a bouncy castle accident in the Australian state of Tasmania, police said on Thursday.

Wind picked up a bouncy castle and threw it into the air at an end-of-year activity day at a primary school in Devonport, in the state's north-west, Tasmania Police said in a midday statement.

"Several children fell from a height of about 10 metres around 10 am and are currently receiving medical treatment at the scene as well as in hospitals," the statement added.

Later, a police spokesperson said the victims were two girls and two boys. Four other children were being treated in critical condition in hospital, according to police spokesman Darren Hine.

The police said their thoughts were with the families and loved ones of those involved.

School closed

Several helicopters responded to the incident while police and emergency services were also on the scene, police said.

The school was closed and parents rushed to the scene to collect their children, Australian broadcaster ABC reported.

"My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a tweet.

"My prayers are with the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event."