Five children have died after falling from a jumping castle that was blown into the air in northwest Tasmania.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport around 10am on Thursday.
Tasmania Police said a "wind event" caused the jumping castle to lift into the air, resulting in students falling from a height of 10 metres. Four children are in hospital with some in a critical condition.
The dead include two boys and two girls. The gender of the fifth child has not yet been revealed.
"Sadly, police can confirm another child has died in hospital following the incident at Hillcrest Primary School this morning," Tasmania Police said in a statement on Thursday evening.
Emergency services were called at around 10am on Thursday. Source: AAP
"Again, our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident."
Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine said the timing of the event has compounded the tragedy.
"On a day when these children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead we're all mourning their loss.
"Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates, teachers of these young people who were taken too soon."
The children were taking part in a 'Big Day In' celebration to mark the end of the school year.
The school was closed and parents rushed to collect their children not long after the fatal accident.
Several rescue helicopters were used to transport the injured to hospital.
State Premier Peter Gutwein said: "It's difficult for me to find words in such tragic circumstances.
Floral tributes at Hillcrest Primary School. Source: Sarah Maunder/SBS News
"I'm certain that I speak for all Tasmanians in extending my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of everyone affected by today's tragedy.
"For the ... children who remain in hospital, our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and their friends during this very difficult time."
Tasmania's Education Department will provide support to children, families and staff in the coming days and into the school holidays, and counselling has also been offered to first responders.
"Our approach is being guided by our senior psychologists, who are trained in trauma-informed practice," department secretary Tim Bullard said.
"What has occurred is a tragedy and there are no words that I can give that would take away the grief that those impacted families are feeling right now."
An investigation into how the jumping castle lifted from its footings will take "some time" as police need to interview multiple witnesses.
Police have not revealed many details about how the incident unfolded.
"We'll be supplying a report to the coroner in conjunction with WorkSafe Tasmania," Mr Hine said.
"That will take some time to complete and once that's completed it will be handed to the coroner for an inquest."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the accident as unthinkably heartbreaking.
"Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy. At this time of year, it just breaks your heart," he told reporters on the NSW Central Coast.
In a message posted on Twitter, Mr Morrison said his thoughts are with those who are directly impacted by the tragedy.
Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to the lives lost.
"My heart breaks for these little ones, and to their families I offer my deepest condolences," he wrote on Twitter.
State and territory leaders also posted messages of condolences with WA Premier Mark McGowan saying the tragedy is "unimaginable".
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie, who went to school in Devonport, said people were still in shock.
"We still don't know how the other four children are going," she told Nine Network on Friday.
"It's just awful. I don't even want to pick up the phone, I know it's going to be somebody that we know ... a week before Christmas."
A number of online fundraising accounts, including two for a boy and girl who were killed, were set up on Thursday to support the affected families. One had raised almost $250,000 by Friday morning.
