Bouncy castle tragedy claims five

Five schoolchildren were killed and several hurt badly after a gust of wind blew a bouncy castle into the air at an end-of-term party in Australia yesterday.

Police said the pupils at a primary school in Devonport, northern Tasmania were celebrating the last week of class before the Christmas break when they were thrown from a height of about 10 meters.

Police said two boys and two girls from grades five and six - typically aged 10-12 years old - were killed immediately, with a fifth dying in hospital.

Rescue helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene after the incident, which occurred around 10 am.

Police officers at the scene were in tears, and blue tarpaulin sheets shielded what officers described as "a very confronting and distressing scene." Distraught witnesses, friends, family, teachers and first responders were offered counselling.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was a "shattering" and "unthinkably heartbreaking" incident.

"Young children on a fun day out, together with their families, and it turns into such horrific tragedy," he said. "It just breaks your heart.

"I want to say to the parents and families and friends, all who were there, to the other young children who witnessed this event, I just pray you'll have great family around you and great friends and you can come through this horrific tragedy."

The school had invited parents to volunteer for the event, which featured a wet play zone, a slide, an arts and crafts area, zorb balls and the bouncy castle.

The day was to celebrate "a successful year and enjoy some fun activities with classmates," Hillcrest Primary School had posted on its Facebook page.

That was followed by an update: "There has been an accident ... We are closing the school for the rest of the day. We ask that parents collect their children as a matter of urgency."

The school has around 200 students

The summer weather forecast was for "light winds" in the area, which is on Tasmania's rugged north coast, looking out across the Bass Strait.