The Australian Police are investigating whether the Canadian tourist who was found dead on a Queensland beach, in the northern part of the state, drowned or was attacked by dingoes.

Police said that the 19-year old woman was discovered on Monday after she told friends that she was going to?swim on K'Gari Island, a small island off of Queensland's coast.

At this stage, it is too early to confirm the cause of death for the young lady. "We are investigating all possible scenarios," Queensland police Inspector Paul Algie said at a press briefing, but did not reveal the identity of the young woman.

He added that "people travelling along the beach saw the group of dingoes and stopped very quickly, clearly scaring those dingoes off?and discovered the young woman's body."

According to the state's environment ministry, wild dogs roam freely on the island, emboldened as a result of increasing human contact. These dogs can injure and sometimes kill people, particularly children. (Reporting and editing by Clarence Fernandez in Sydney, Alasdair pal)

(source: Reuters)