Four die in theme park horror accident at Dreamworld, Australia

A popular Australian theme park is at the centre of a tragedy. On Tuesday, four people died while riding on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld.

Two men and two women, aged between 32 and 42, were riding on a raft on the rapids just after 2 p.m. when it appeared to malfunction, Gavin Fuller of the Queensland Ambulance Service told a press conference.

It is believed two people were ejected from the ride, while the other two people got caught in the ride. Investigations are continuing but early reports suggest that the conveyer belt underneath the ride, which moves the rafts along, malfunctioned.

The Courier Mail reported that an incident occurred on a different ride in April, with a man being thrown from a ride after a similar conveyer belt malfunction. The publication noted Dreamworld has been free of major incidents before Tuesday's tragedy.

Tod Reid of the Queensland police told reporters on Tuesday a crime scene had been established at Dreamworld. "We're now working together with the park to determine how this tragic incident occurred," he said, stating that the event will be subject to a coronial inquiry.

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Reid couldn't comment on whether the victims were related or whether others were rescued from the ride. He confirmed the investigation would examine if the ride had suffered previous malfunctions.

The theme park is located on Australia's Gold Coast, with other venues such as Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World nearby.

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"We are deeply shocked and saddened by this," Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said. "Our hearts and thoughts go to the families involved and their loved ones."

The Dreamworld site describes the ride, which has been around for 30 years, as a "moderate thrill."

"All aboard for white water rafting! Travel down a foamy water track past the Gold Rush Country, speeding up to 45 km/h through the turbulent rapids," the website states.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the incident as "an absolute tragedy."

"[It's] a tragic accident at Dreamworld where many thousands of people go on a daily basis to enjoy the events there with their family and friends," she told Channel Ten on Tuesday evening.

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Palaszczuk confirmed there were many witnesses at the scene, with counsellors dispatched to help those people at the scene now "suffering enormous trauma," she said.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in a statement online that he was "saddened" to have learnt of the accident. "Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy. This is a very, very, sad, tragic event," he said.

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UPDATE: Oct. 25, 2016, 10:38 a.m. BST Queensland Police confirmed the victims were two men, aged 38 and 35, and two women, aged 32 and 42, in a press conference on Tuesday evening.