An eight-year-old girl who was shot dead in far north Queensland was accidentally killed by a young relative who was playing with a loaded gun.

The girl died at a home in a small Indigenous community in Aurukun on Cape York yesterday.

Following the tragedy, police spoke to a number of adults and children who were at the scene at the time.

It is now understood a 12-year-old boy, who is related to the deceased girl, was playing with a loaded shotgun when it accidentally discharged, hitting her in the head.

Detective Acting Inspector Kevin Goan says two adults were home at the time but were not in the same room.

“It’s more of an extended family situation so she was in their care at that time. The families are quite close so everyone’s saddened by this event,” he said.