Source: AAP | Published: Friday June 23

Three Aussies, 10 Brits among 18 unaccounted for in hostel fire
Three Australians may be among those killed in a fire at a Queensland backpacker hostel overnight, police said.

While the official death toll remains at 15, police said 18 people, including three Australians, remained unaccounted for after the blaze at the Palace Backpackers Hostel at Childers, 330km north of Brisbane.

Police Inspector Phil Wardrobe said 10 of those missing were British tourists, two were Dutch, one was from Spain, one was from Korea and another was Japanese.

None of the 15 bodies found so far have been identified.

Sixty-nine others survived the blaze with nine requiring hospital treatment.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was arriving in Childers later today to help with arrangements for the survivors, many of whom were foreign nationals who have lost passports and other possessions in the fire.

The young backpackers travel to Childers to work as fruit and vegetable pickers.

Local mayor Bill Trevor said three of the victims worked at his property.