Why are Australia wearing black armbands today? Who Australian cricketers are paying tribute to explained

Australia’s cricket team wore black armbands on day two of their second Ashes test in tribute to five children who tragically died in an accident involving a bouncy castle on Thursday.

Addison Stewart, Zane Mellor, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, and Peter Dodt fell to their deaths after the inflatable in which they were playing was blown into the air at a school fair in Tasmania.

In response to the tragedy, Steve Smith’s side took to the field wearing bands on their arms as a sign of remembrance.

What happened?

On Thursday, local police reported that a gust of wind caused a bouncy castle at Hillcrest Primary School to blow into the air, after which the five children fell from a height of around 30ft.

It’s unclear how many children were playing on the inflatable when it was lifted into the air, however it has since been reported that a number children were taken to hospital, with some in critical condition.

Since the accident, three children have remained in critical condition, with one injured child discharged from hospital.

Paramedics arrived on the scene at around 10am local time, after the incident occurred.

The children were initially given first aid before being transported to hospital via helicopter.

Parents were informed of the incident immediately afterwards.

What has been the reaction to the incident in Australia?

Understandably, the reaction to the accident has been one of shock and mourning.

Devonport, the city in which the incident occurred, has a population of just 30,000, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison suggested in a speech addressing the tragedy that there would be “few people, if any, in Devonport that would haven’t had a connection to one of those families, to that school”.

Mr Morrison also went on to describe the incident as a “freak accident that will leave families completely devastated” and one that was “unthinkably heartbreaking”.

He added: “Young children on a fun day out… and it turns to such horrific tragedy.

“At this time of year, it just breaks your heart.

“I just want to say, on behalf of Jen [his wife] and I to the parents, the family and the friends and all who were there, to the other young children who were there and witnessing these events - I just pray that you’ll have a great family around you and great friends and that you’ll be able to come through this.”

Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein said that the tragedy was “devastating”.

“It’s a difficult time for me to find the right words in such tragic circumstances”, he said.

“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.

“On a day when school children were celebrating the end of term, so close to Christmas. It’s simply inconceivable that this shocking incident has occurred.

“I know that this is a strong and caring community that will stand together and support one another. I know that they will do that with love and kindness to get them through this.”

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