The accident occurred at an elementary school in Devonport, Tasmania, where the end of the school year was being celebrated. The wind lifted the inflatable playground equipment into the air, after which the children fell to the ground from a height of about 10 metres, witnesses said. Five children, ages 11 to 12, were killed. Four other children were seriously injured. Three of them were in hospital in critical condition on Saturday.

The fundraiser claims to be overwhelmed with all the donations. Zoe Smith had hoped to raise $1,000 for relatives, but the counter is currently around 1.1 million. “I think it proves how shocking everyone is and how close we are as a community,” Smith said of the move.

The police launched an investigation into the fatal accident. It is not clear how the stadium equipment got off the ground. Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the memorial of flowers, toys and personal messages that appeared outside the primary school on Saturday. Earlier he spoke of an “unimaginably heartbreaking” incident. Morrison also said the government will support families and other victims by supporting the victims and financially.