One woman is dead and two other people injured after a stabbing at a backpacker hotel in Australia.
Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the investigation was still in early stages and it was unclear if the statements made by the alleged attacker at the scene were of an extremist nature.
"It is alleged that the suspect used the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' during the attack and when arrested by police," he said.
"Whilst this information will be factored into the information we are not ruling out any motivations at this early stage, whether they be political or criminal."
More than 30 people witnessed the knife attack that left the 21-year-old British woman dead. A 31-year-old British man remains in a critical condition.
Another person was taken to hospital with a stab wound to the leg but has since been released.
Superintendent Ray Rohweder said police were confronted by a terrible scene when they arrived at the hostel.
But both officers acted tremendously and ensured the safety of other persons at the venue, he said.
Rohweder said the officers asked the alleged attacker, who had sustained injuries to his arms, to lay on the ground before taking him into custody.
Investigators have the knife believed to have been used in the attack and are trying to piece together what occurred.
Police are yet to establish a motive for the incident, Rohweder said.
Officers have been in contact with British consular staff.
A 29-year-old French national, who has been in the country for some months, is expected to be charged over the attack.
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