Two children dead, several seriously injured in jumping castle tragedy

Two children are dead and a number of children have been critically injured after a bouncing castle was lifted into the air by wind at a primary school in northwest Tasmania.

Police were called to Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport on Thursday morning after a "wind event" caused the jumping castle to lift in the air, Tasmania Police said in a statement.

Tasmania Police Commander Debbie Williams said on Thursday afternoon two children have been killed.

"It appears a wind gust has caused a jumping castle to lift into the air," she told reporters.

"This is a very tragic event."

They fell 10 metres after the wind picked up the castle, police said.

Commander Williams added a number of the hospitalised children are in a critical condition.

She said "there is no doubt" it was a "confronting and distressing scene".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the incident “unthinkably heartbreaking”.

“Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart,” he said.

Hillcrest Primary School said in a statement on Facebook it is closing the campus for the rest of the day.

"We ask that parents come to collect their children as a matter of urgency," the school said.

Thursday was scheduled to be the school's "Big Day In" with a wide range of activities to enjoy with classmates including a jumping castle and arts and crafts, according to its Facebook page.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein told reporters he was aware of the incident.

"I understand there are serious injuries involved. As further information comes to hand, we will obviously provide it," he told reporters.

"My thoughts are obviously with the people involved, but obviously the parents of the children that have been injured and with the emergency services, but as we receive further information on what I understand is a very serious matter, we'll provide that as the day progresses."

Police Commander Debbie Williams will provide an update about the incident at 1pm.

More to come.

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