All articles tagged with #queensland
In Queensland, Australia, 140 high school students were exempted from their final ancient history exam after teachers mistakenly taught them about Augustus Caesar instead of Julius Caesar, the exam topic, due to a miscommunication that was only discovered days before the assessment. The students will be assessed on other coursework components, and an investigation is underway to prevent future errors.
The family of Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old woman who died after being left behind on Lizard Island during a cruise, alleges a failure of care and oversight by the cruise company, prompting investigations into safety procedures and passenger accountability.
A woman lost her arm after being attacked by a lion at Queensland's Darling Downs Zoo while observing the animals, despite her familiarity with safety protocols. She was airlifted to hospital and is recovering, with investigations ongoing to determine how the incident occurred. The zoo confirmed the animal will not be euthanized or punished.
A woman was severely injured when a lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland bit her arm off while she was watching keepers, despite her extensive experience and safety protocols; she was transported to hospital and is in stable condition, with investigations ongoing and no plans to punish the animal.
Malaria cases have surged in Queensland, Australia, with 71 infections this year, mainly due to recent wet weather creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The outbreak is localized to the far north, and health officials warn residents to remain vigilant as malaria can cause severe health issues or death if not treated promptly.
A biosecurity breach in Queensland, Australia, has led to the disappearance of 323 vials containing live viruses, including the deadly Hendra virus, from a public health laboratory. The breach, which occurred in 2021, was only discovered in 2023, prompting an investigation into procedural lapses. Officials believe the viruses were not stolen or weaponized, and the public is reassured of minimal risk. Measures are being taken to improve biosecurity protocols and prevent future incidents.
A major biosecurity breach has occurred at Queensland's Public Health Virology Laboratory, where 323 samples of Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus have gone missing since August 2023. An investigation led by retired Supreme Court Justice Martin Daubney is underway to determine how the samples disappeared. Despite the breach, Queensland's Chief Health Officer John Gerrard assures the public that the risk is minimal, as the viruses would degrade rapidly outside controlled conditions. Measures are being implemented to prevent future incidents, including staff retraining and permit audits.
An investigation has been launched into a major biosecurity breach at a Queensland laboratory where nearly 100 live samples of the deadly Hendra virus, along with lyssavirus and hantavirus, went missing after a freezer malfunction in 2021. The breach, uncovered in August 2023, involved improper transfer procedures without necessary documentation. Despite the serious record-keeping lapse, health officials assure the public that the risk is low as the viruses degrade rapidly outside of low-temperature storage. Former Supreme Court Justice Martin Daubney will lead the investigation to review lab protocols and management.
Australian police have seized 2.3 tonnes of cocaine worth A$760m from a broken-down boat off Queensland, marking the largest cocaine bust in the country's history. Eleven men and two juveniles were arrested, including members of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club. The operation, part of a wider investigation into the gang, involved collaboration between the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service, and Australian Border Force. The cocaine, originating from South America, was intercepted after the boat suffered a mechanical fault.
A father of three tragically died after being bitten by a venomous snake while attempting to remove it from a childcare center in Townsville. The man, who was not a qualified snake catcher, suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be saved despite efforts to revive him. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating the incident, urging people to treat all snake bites as venomous and to seek immediate medical assistance. This marks the first reported snake bite fatality in Australia this year.
Rumors are circulating that Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce are planning a romantic holiday in Queensland, Australia, before her Sydney shows during her Eras Tour. Travis hinted at a possible trip Down Under on his podcast, and Taylor made a panicked phone call to him after a shooting incident in Kansas City. The couple's romance has been in the spotlight, and they have both made significant donations to support the community affected by the tragedy.
In Queensland, Australia, a fisherman named Richard Brookman experienced a harrowing encounter when a large crocodile leaped onto his boat with its jaws open. The incident occurred on New Year's Eve while he was fishing in a creek. Brookman managed to evade the crocodile, which eventually fell overboard, but not before causing damage to the boat. This event has prompted local authorities to warn the public and consider removing the crocodile if it poses a threat. Crocodile sightings in the region are taken seriously due to the history of both fatal and non-fatal attacks.
Massive floods caused by a tropical cyclone and record rainfall have inundated Australia's northeastern coast, stranding hundreds of people and prompting crocodile warnings. The heavy rain, which surpassed 60 inches in some areas, has caused widespread rescues and threatened drinking water supplies. The rainfall may have set all-time records in Australia for its intensity and duration. Recovery efforts are underway, but additional heavy rainfall is projected, which could worsen the flooding.
More than 300 people have been rescued and hundreds evacuated in northeastern Australia as heavy rainfall causes severe flooding in the state of Queensland. The city of Cairns has been almost completely cut off by floodwaters, with concerns over access to clean drinking water. Flights in and out of Cairns Airport have been canceled, and thousands of properties are without power. The flooding is a result of heavy rains brought on by former Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Authorities have described the scale of the storm as unprecedented.
Wildlife rangers in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia, removed a 2.5m (8 feet) long saltwater crocodile from a flooded creek caused by heavy rains and severe floods in the region.