Israel student killed in Melbourne while on phone with sister

A 21‑year‑old Israeli student was attacked and killed in Melbourne, Australia while speaking to her sister on the phone.

The body of Aiia Maasarwe was found near La Trobe University in the city's north. She had taken a tram home late on Wednesday after a comedy show.

Her sister "heard the sound of the phone falling to the ground and heard some voices."

Police are searching for the killer.

They have not ruled out the possibility that Maasarwe was sexually assaulted, Melbourne's Age newspaper says, with known sex offenders "an active line of inquiry".

Australia's human rights commission has said that the country has "a disturbingly high rate of violence against women".

According to Australian government figures, one in five women, and one in 20 men, have experienced sexual violence or threats since the age of 15.