UPDATE:

The Queensland Police Service has located the newborn girl who was taken from Cairns Hospital and subject to an Amber Alert this afternoon.

The girl was found safe and well with a 31-year-old woman in Cairns.

Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.

EARLIER:

Queensland Police are seeking urgent public assistance to help locate a newborn baby who was taken from Cairns Hospital this afternoon and may be at significant risk.

Around 12.30pm it is believed a woman took the girl, who is only hours old and is understood to still be in the greater Cairns area.

The 31-year-old woman is described as having a dark complexion, around 160cm in height, skinny build and has black hair.

She was last seen wearing a black shirt.

Police hold concern for the infant’s welfare and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Call 131 564 if you have information about this abduction.

Please ring 000 for life threatening information about this abduction.