Childers, Australia - The chief suspect in a blaze that killed 15 backpackers was charged yesterday with attempted murder and unlawful wounding. The charges relate to Robert Long's capture on Wednesday when he allegedly slashed a police dog handler's face with a knife in a confrontation after a five-day manhunt. Mr Long (37) is a suspect in an investigation into the fire at the Palace hostel a week ago, but as yet no charges relating to the blaze have been laid.
Backpackers across Australia united yesterday in a minute's silence for those who died in the fire. Among the backpackers killed were one Irish, six Britons, four Australians, two Dutch, one Korean and one Japanese.