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Sunday 14 December 2014
Sydney siege (Martin Place cafe) – live :- Hostages held in central cafe #sydneysiege:::::gunman identified as Iranian Haron Monis :::: Sydney siege: three hostages flee Martin Place cafe – live 05.35 GMT :::: hostages said the offender has two demands 06.45 GMT
Sydney siege (Martin Place cafe) – live :- Hostages held in central cafe #sydneysiege
15 December 2014Last updated at 04:14
Sydney siege: more hostages flee Martin Place cafe – live
Sydney siege is over, say police, as hostages flee the scene – live Monday 15 December 2014 16.22 GMT
The moment police stormed the Australian siege cafe
Australian
commandos have stormed a cafe in Sydney, ending a siege by a gunman
identified as an Iranian refugee who took dozens of people hostage.
Paramedics carrying stretchers raced towards the cafe moments after the commandos moved into the cafe.
Several people appear to have been injured while the fate of the gunman is not yet known.
The centre of the city has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning.
Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window.
The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district.
Several people appear to have been injured
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking"
that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming
political motivation".
Army commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and
body armour could be seen piling into the cafe, tossing stun grenades
ahead of them, and apparently opening fire.
Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services.
New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 local time (15:44 GMT) in a tweet, promising details later.
15 December 2014Last updated at 15:17
Sydney hostages: Sydney gunman identified as Iranian Haron Monis
Continue reading the main story
Sydney cafe siege
The
gunman holding people hostage in a Sydney cafe has been identified as
an Iranian refugee who was on bail facing a number of charges.
Man Haron Monis, who received political asylum in Australia in 1996, was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure.
Central Sydney is in lockdown as police surround the cafe, continuing negotiations with the gunman.
Several more hostages are said to have escaped after five got out earlier.
Mr Monis is well known to the Australian police
A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear.
The building is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district.
It appears the gunman has used three of the hostages to pass
on demands, making them stand beside a black flag and having them make
statements to a camera.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking"
that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming
political motivation". Offensive letters
Mr Monis, who styles himself as a Muslim cleric, is currently
on bail for being an accessory to the murder of his former wife and is
facing more than 40 sexual and indecent assault charges.
He has also been convicted of sending offensive letters to the families of deceased Australian soldiers.
"His ideology is just so strong and so powerful that it
clouds his vision for common sense and objectiveness," his former
lawyer, Manny Conditsis, said.
There are reports that one of his demands is for the flag of
the Islamic State (IS) militant group to be delivered to the cafe, reports.
Shortly after the siege began people thought to be employees
and visibly distressed could be seen holding up to the window a black
flag bearing a declaration of the Islamic faith in Arabic. This was not,
however, an IS flag.
Eyewitness Andrea Proctor: "Many police officers started to come around us"
The we has seen no claim of responsibility for the hostage-taking by IS or any other recognised jihadist group.
News organisations say the gunman contacted them to issue demands, which police urged media not to report.
Lights inside the cafe were turned out as night fell.
The incident began as people arrived for work in Martin Place
early on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a gun walk into the Lindt
chocolate shop and cafe.
About 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time, Lindt said. Nearby offices were evacuated.
Hundreds of police have sealed off the Martin Place area
About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building. Two more people followed about an hour later.
Police were due to interview them once the condition of their health had been assessed.
At the scene: Sydney
The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office
workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction
workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one
block away from the Lindt coffee shop.
Rosemary D'Urso Healion had just come out of the Martin Place
subway station and was walking to her office when she saw that it was
blocked by police. Then she saw the police close down the subway
station.
"I work in that building [where the siege is taking place]
and I was just about to go in," she told the BBC, adding that she had
been in contact with some of her colleagues who were in the building but
not being held hostage.
She remained at Martin Place anxiously watching a police
operation that appeared to be aimed at getting some of her colleagues
out via a ladder erected on a window ledge on the first floor.
Police have been escorting people out of nearby buildings
Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks.
In September Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join
the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in
Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid.
One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place.
In October, the Australian parliament approved new
anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians
fighting in overseas conflicts.
The black flag
A black flag bearing the white Arabic text of the "shahada", the basic statement of the Islamic faith, is used by jihadist groups worldwide
The statement says: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger"
A black flag was the battle flag of the Prophet Muhammad and was carried into battle by many of his companions
Today, it is used as a symbol of engagement in jihad, in the sense of holy war, by militant groups including al-Qaeda and Islamic State
Islamic State's banner - unlike the flag raised in the window
of the coffee shop - bears the first part of the shahada and the seal of
the Prophet below it.
Sydney siege: more hostages flee Martin Place cafe – live
LIVE Updated
Five people have been seen running out of a cafe in Sydney’s CBD
where at least one armed gunman took ‘fewer than 30’ customers and staff
hostage on Monday morning, but it remains unclear whether they escaped
or were freed. The cafe remains surrounded by heavily armed New South
Wales police. Some inside the cafe were apparently forced to stand at
the cafe’s windows holding up a flag bearing what appears to be the
Islamic creed • Hostages emerge from Martin Place cafe • Central Sydney evacuated as police converge on Martin Place – in pictures • Police arrest suspect over alleged terrorism offences in Sydney raid
A hostage runs to armed tactical response police officers for safety
after she fled a cafe under siege at Martin Place in Sydney. Photograph:
Rob Griffith/AP
Police operating on Counter Terrorism protocols
Two women out of the Lindt cafe
Three hostages flee cafe - what we know so far
People seen running out of Lindt cafe
The NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and the premier, Mike Baird, speak
Tony Abbott: 'We don't know the motivation'
Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, releases statement
06:45
Channel 10 is the third media outlet saying they have been contacted
by hostages in the Lindt cafe. The hostages said the offender has two
demands: 1. They want to speak with Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott. 2. They want an Isis flag brought to the cafe
06:41
A spokesman for St Vincent’s Hospital has confirmed that one male
hostage is currently in emergency at the hospital in Darlinghurst, and
is sitting up in bed in a “satisfactory” condition, Michael Safi reports.
06:40
Among the hundreds of people who are gathering in Martin Place to
watch the siege are people taking selfies and people drinking, according
to tweets from Buzzfeed Oz reporter Mark Di Stefano.
As the end of the work day loom the crowds are swelling in Martin
Place where the siege is taking place. There are hundreds of people now
trying to catch a glimpse of the siege, which is likely making the
police operation more difficult.
NSW Police have confirmed they are operating according to Counter
Terrorism protocols, with the Counter Terrorism and Security Command in
charge of this operation.
NSW Police released a statement saying they are continuing to work towards a “peaceful resolution”.
Due to operational reasons, we can’t go into exact details at present, but no one has been injured as far as we know.
We are operating according to our Counter Terrorism protocols, with
our Counter Terrorism and Security Command in charge of this operation.
Police have established a perimeter encompassing Hunter, Pitt, King
and Phillip streets. People have been asked to stay away from the Sydney
CBD, particularly Martin Place.
People who have finished work are being told to proceed home as normal.
06:18
This is extraordinary footage of one of the terrified women fleeing the Lindt cafe. Five hostages so far have fled.
Channel 9 footage posted by ABC
Updated
06:07
We have images of the second woman who has fled from the Lindt cafe.
Two women, believed to be two of the hostages, have fled from the
Lindt cafe. That brings the total number of people out of the hostage
situation to five. It is still not clear if they are being released or
are fleeing on their own. Previously three men fled from the cafe.
05:53
Sydney’s the Daily Telegraph have released a special afternoon
edition as the siege continues. It has a wrap around cover posted below.
The Daily Telegraph is a tabloid, so an excitable tone is to be
expected. Though I do note some errors on the front page. “IS takes 13
hostages”. I assume the paper states Islamic State because of the flag
with Arabic writing hostages were forced to hold up in the window. It
has been established the flag is not Islamic State but bears the
Shahada, an Islamic creed which reads: “There is no god but God,
Muhammad is the messenger of God.” It can be a benign symbol and appears
across the Islamic world, including on the Saudi Arabian flag. But it
has also been embraced by jihadi groups such as Jabhat Al-Nusra, an
al-Qaida affiliate currently fighting in Syria.
“13 hostages”. It still has not been established how many hostages
are in the cafe. Reports have varied between 8 and 50 and the closest to
an official confirmation has been the deputy NSW Commissioner, Catherine Burn, saying it is less than 30.
“Death cult” is the prime minister’s favoured moniker for Islamic State.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, the premier, Mike Baird,
and the NSW police commissioner and deputy commissioner have all said a
motive for the siege is yet to be established though authorities are on
an alert similar to a terror attack.
Columnist for the Australian, Chris Kenny, walked out of the Lindt cafe minutes before the siege took place. He has written about the experience for the Australian and has spoken to the BBC in audio I have posted below.
As police quickly swarmed and cleared the area, I turned to see a man against the window, facing out with his hands raised.
At first I was relieved, thinking this was the gunman responding to
police — but soon came the awful realisation that customers were being
forced against the windows.
From the outset the suggestion of a hold-up seemed remote — a cafe at
9.30am in the middle of the city seemed an unlikely target.
Police said little but pushed shoppers and commuters back as onlookers strained to seen what was going on.
Within 10 minutes car-loads of police were on the scene, wearing
bullet-proof vests and some with handguns drawn. They were telling their
colleagues that specialist officers were on the way.
05:42
Channel 9 have confirmed they have been contacted by people claiming to be hostages. 2GB radio presenter, Ray Hadley, has made the same claim and also took the call off air.
#9news is working with NSW Police after two hostages made contact. The calls haven't been put to air.
05:39
My colleague Helen Davidson has spoken to a friend of one of the hostages who is waiting near the cafe for the siege to be over. She says:
I found out through work colleagues...I’ve known her over 10 years,
we’ve worked together, we’ve been best friends, partied together,
endured a lot of stresses in life.
It’s difficult, but I have to be strong for her and for the family.
05:35
New South Wales deputy commissioner, Catherine Burn, has confirmed police have made contact in the past two hours with the person who has taken people at the Lindt cafe hostage.
They had previously only had contact with the hostages.
Police negotiators have had contact and they continue to have contact
and we will work through this as we do with our negotiators. It might
take a bit of time, but we want to resolve this peacefully and I assure
you if it takes a bit of time we will take that time.
Burn said the motivations of the gunman are still not known.
It would not be good to speculate, but we have setup our protocols.
So at the moment we have activated our investigators and our
intelligence officers so we now have numerous police who are working on
establishing who this person is and what those motives might be.
05:24
Police have had to move on a man ranting agains Islam outside of the siege. Ralph Cerminara
is the leader of the Australian Defence League, an anti-Muslim
organisation and went to the siege to specifically rant against the
religion. Police told him to leave the area.
Police move on Australian Defence League leader Ralph Cerminara as he speaks out over an ongoing siege in Martin Place, Sydney.
Updated
05:18
Deputy police commissioner, Catherine Burn, said
there are no more than 30 hostages being held in the Lindt cafe. Some
images of the three hostages who have fled from the cafe have emerged.
The three free hostages will receive medical attention before being interviewed by police.
Three people have fled the Lindt cafe in Sydney in the seventh hour of the siege. Here is what we know so far:
Police have confirmed the three people seen running from the Lindt cafe were hostages who are now free.
It is not clear how many hostages are in the cafe. Reports have
ranged from 8 to 50. Five different hostages have been sighted in news
footage.
Police say there is “at least one” offender.
The Sydney Opera House was evacuated for a non-specified reason but police have since left the scene.
Conservative radio presenter Ray Hadley has claimed
a hostage has called him and he spoke to him off the air. He says the
NSW police commissioner verified the phone call but the commissioner
would not confirm or deny the claim.
The siege began about 9.45am AEDT and police say while they have had
contact with hostages there has been no direct contact with the
offender. Police say nobody has been harmed to their knowledge.
Prime minister Tony Abbott and NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione say the motives of the siege are not known.
Uber were criticised for charging minimum $100 for people trying to
leave the CBD during the siege. They have since offered free rides.
Updated
04:46
It is not clear if the three people - who we believe to be hostages -
were freed or escaped from the Lindt cafe. They ran out of a side door
where heavily armed police were and hid behind the police.
04:39
People seen running out of Lindt cafe
It appears three people have fled from the Lindt cafe. One staff
member and what appears to be two customers were seen running from the
cafe while police stood out the front with weapons drawn.
04:28
A man has told the Daily Telegraph he bumped into the gunman outside of the Lindt cafe and the gunman threatened to “shoot him too”:
Craig Stoker, a father of four from Eastlakes, told the newspaper:
He was wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it and a headband and carrying a blue bag.
The bag bumped into me and there was something hard in it. I said ‘watch where you are fucking going’.
He turned round and said ‘do you want me to shoot you too?.’ I looked
into his eyes and they were crazy. I was pretty freaked out.
Interestingly, Stoker told the Daily Telegraph the man was with two
others who were dressed similarly. So far we have only had confirmation
of one offender.
Updated
04:15
We have had reports on the number of hostages ranging from eight to
50. So really, it does not seem that anyone knows how many people are in
the siege at the Lindt cafe at Martin Place.
An unnamed witness rang Channel 7 for an interview and was coming in
and out of the cafe just before the siege happened. He estimated there
were about a dozen people in the cafe just before the siege.
I saw the offender, we eyeballed each other. I did another [delivery]
load and then the guy had a gun, a gun in the blue bag and running out
of the building.
Reporter: When you looked in and eyeballed, as you said, the offender, what did the situation appear to be?
At the time it was quite calm, people seated at the table. People sitting around tables.
Reporter: Do you think he was perceived as threatening at that moment?
At that moment no. Not sure what was going on inside the store.
The witness said the lady next to him told him there was a gun and to run.
Updated
03:52
Grainy images have emerged from the Lindt cafe siege showing what
appears to be the gunman wearing a black bandana emblazoned with white
Arabic script, my colleague Michael Safi reports.
First Look Media’s Andy Carvin has asked for people on Twitter to help translate what we can see of the bandana.
Consensus translation of the headband is "We sacrifice ourselves for you, O Mohamed.” Caveat: photo blurry, text incomplete. #sydneysiege
The consensus is: “We sacrifice ourselves for you, O Muhammad.”
Though this, too, is contested, with other suggesting “Sacrifice” could
also be interpreted as “Here for you”.
Updated
03:51
Lindt Chocolate Cafe Australia have released a statement on the
siege. They have closed the rest of their cafes in Australia because of
the “serious” situation:
We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind support
over the current situation at the Lindt Chocolate Café at Martin Place.
We are deeply concerned over this serious incident and our thoughts and
prayers are with the staff and customers involved and all their friends
and families. The matter is being dealt with by the authorities and we
are waiting for any updates from them.
03:49
My colleagues Michael Safi and Shalailah Medhora have filed a full report on the siege of the Lindt Cafe in Sydney
03:35
Uber are now offering free rides in the Sydney CBD after a surge in a
demand led to $100 minimums for people who wanted to leave the CBD as
the siege was happening.
Uber Sydney trips from CBD will be free for riders. Higher rates are still in place to encourage drivers to get into the CBD.
03:31
Police have now left the Sydney Opera House which was evacuated for an unspecified reason, my colleague Oliver Milman reports.
A police spokeswoman said they were not currently responding to
anything at the Opera House although it is still currently sealed off.
Some contractors and performers have been allowed back in.
Updated
03:13
NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione on the flag that was put up in the window of the cafe:
Again, it’s a flag that we’ve had people looking at. We’re trying to
work out what it stands for but at this stage it’s probably best that I
don’t take that any further. We’re working with our partner agencies to
better determine what it is we’re dealing with there.
Scipione says there is no confirmation the siege is related to terrorism.
NSW premier Mike Baird was asked if the siege would change the way people approach their everyday life in Sydney.
No, it won’t and no it shouldn’t. We are incredibly proud of this
city. The values we hold dear and we will continue at every day to
protect them. Yes we are being tested today ... I am very confident and
thankful for the police and their activities and what they’ve done both
in the lead-up, what I’ve seen today. We’re incredibly lucky to have
them.
Updated
03:04
The NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and the premier, Mike Baird, speak
Andrew Scipione says there is an undisclosed number of hostages involved in the siege and one offender.
We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to
do to ensure that. What we also have is a number of incidents that
people believe they be connected to the event and that is not the
case.We have a lot of people concerned when they see a police vehicle
drive down their street to think that their suburb or shire might be
involved. That is not the case. We are very contained. We certainly have
tight restrictions and tight controls around that location and we will
work as long as we need to bring this to an outcome. The officers there
are trained and professional. They know what they’re doing and they have
trained for. I am sure they will get through this and this will be an
outcome that will be positive.
He does not confirm or deny that radio presenter Ray Hadley
has spoken to a hostage. He says police negotiations have been
undertaken with the hostages and police have not had direct contact with
the offender. There were terror raids this morning in Sydney and
Scipione says at this stage there is “no connection” between the raids
and the siege.
Updated
02:54
International leaders are beginning to react to the siege at the Lindt cafe.
At the White House an official has confirmed Lisa Monaco, the president’s top counter-terrorism advisor, has spoken to president Barack Obama about events in Sydney.
Canada and New Zealand’s prime ministers have also sent messages of support.
Acting Greens leader, Adam Bandt, has released a statement:
Our thoughts are with all those held hostage in Martin Place, their
family and friends. We share the distress of everyone else around
Australia as we watch this terrifying situation unfold. Our thoughts are
also with the police and security forces managing the incident.
This is a time for everyone in the community to come together as we hope for a peaceful outcome.
02:44
Conservative 2GB radio presenter, Ray Hadley, has
claimed a hostage has rung him. He took the call off air and 2GB is
saying the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this but I have seen no
independent verification of this. The police commissioner is giving a
press conference soon.
To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.
Updated
02:30
The Queensland police commissioner has ordered every available police
officer on to the streets but there is no indication there is a threat
in the state, the Brisbane Times reports:
Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart has ordered every available police officer onto Queensland streets as the nation reacts to the Sydney siege.
But Stewart said there was no indication or intelligence that any attack was planned for Queensland.
He briefed cabinet this morning on what he had been told, and said he had offered support to New South Wales police.
“We would do anything that we could to help them at this time,” he said.
But in the meantime he has directed his troops to step up patrols.
Updated
02:25
Uber is reportedly charging users a minimum $100 to get out of Sydney CBD, Mashable is reporting.
The price has been pushed up because of a surge in the demand. Uber has
a deal in New York to cap their surge pricing during emergencies but it
does not seem the same agreement is in place in Australia.
Updated
02:16
We have a video up on the siege reporting it began when a woman
outside the Lindt cafe saw a man carrying a sports bag with what
appeared to be a gun inside. She informed police who approached the man,
who then entered the cafe.
Updated
02:08
New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione will hold a press conference at 1.30pm.
Updated
02:00
Abbott says the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (Myefo) will
still be released today and the government needs to continue to go about
its business.
I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australian people
at a time like this, but our thoughts and prayers must above all go out
to the individuals who are caught up in this. I can think of almost
nothing more distressing, more terrifying than to be caught up in such a
situation and our hearts go out to these people.
Updated
01:57
Tony Abbott: 'We don't know the motivation'
Prime minister Tony Abbott is addressing the media. He says the
motivation of the siege is not known and calls it a “disturbing
incident”. He said there are “some indications” it could be politically
motivated.
We have to appreciate that even in a society such as ours, there are
people who would wish to do us harm, that’s why we have police and
security organisations of the utmost professionalism that are ready and
able to respond to a whole range of situations and contingencies
including this situation that we are now seeing in Sydney. The whole
point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being
themselves. Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society. Nothing
should ever change that and that’s why I would urge all Australians
today to go about their business as usual.
Updated
01:52
Buses have stopped running southbound on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
but it is not closed to all traffic, as some media outlets are
reporting.
Going by train across Harbour Bridge. Very eery to see virtually empty southbound lanes. Buses not running #sydsiegepic.twitter.com/JqLH3892Mw
01:45
The fiance of one of the hostages has spoken to my colleague, Helen Davidson.
We are not naming either of them. The fiance said of his partner, who
is being held hostage and has worked at the cafe for six months:
She’s the sweetest person ever who thinks about everyone. She took
some of my old shoes and made me wash them and she gave them to a
homeless guy. She just cares about everyone. She’s organised restaurant
bookings and stuff for her workmates.
Updated
01:41
Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, releases statement
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has released a statement on the siege:
Our thoughts and prayers today are with the innocent people involved in this morning’s incident in Martin Place, Sydney.
Our thoughts are also with their families who are seeing this
incredibly distressing situation unfold, along with the rest of
Australia.
I have full confidence in the skill and professionalism of our police and security agencies.
I have spoken to Prime Minister Tony Abbott this morning and offered him the Opposition’s full support at this time.
Australians can be assured that we are one when it comes to keeping Australians safe.
Updated
01:37
Sydney cafe under siege: what we know so far
We are almost three hours into the siege and there are a lot of
conflicting reports and speculation. Here is a brief rundown of what we
actually do know:
Customers and staff at Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, were
taken hostage at about 9.45am. There are varying reports on the number
of hostages but four have been sighted in camera footage. They were made
to stand up against the windows with their hands raised.
There is at least one gunman.
A black flag with white writing was put in the window of the cafe. It is not an
Islamic State flag. The flag appears to bear the Shahada, an Islamic
creed which reads: “There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger
of God.” It can be a benign symbol and appears across the Islamic world,
including on the Saudi Arabian flag. But it has also been embraced by
jihadi groups such as Jabhat Al-Nusra, an al-Qaida affiliate currently
fighting in Syria.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, confirmed the national security committee of cabinet has convened for briefings.
Buildings in the area have been evacuated, as has the Sydney Opera
House, though it has not been confirmed why the Opera House has been
evacuated.
The prime minister will address media soon.
Updated
01:34
Sydney Opera House evacuated
The Sydney Opera House, which is about a kilometre and a half from
Martin Place, has been evacuated. It is not clear why and there are
conflicting reports about the reasons.
We have reports of further buildings being evacuated. We are being
cautious in our reporting so we will not go into any further detail but
other buildings in the area have been evacuated throughout the morning.
01:19
From my colleague, federal political reporter, Daniel Hurst:
The treasurer, Joe Hockey, had been due to release
the mid-year budget update at 12.30pm but those plans have now changed
in light of the Sydney developments. It’s understood the government
still wants to release the document today but Hockey’s 12.30pm press
conference has been called off.
Updated
01:16
Some images from the siege of Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney.
There is still no confirmation of how many hostages there are and at the
moment there is only one known gunman. NSW police during the siege
LIVE Updated
‘Fewer than 30’ staff and customers are being held at a cafe in
Sydney’s CBD surrounded by heavily armed New South Wales police. Some
inside the cafe were apparently forced to stand at the cafe’s windows
holding up a flag bearing what appears to be the Islamic creed
Two hostages run to safety outside the Lindt Cafe, Martin Place in central Sydney.
Two women out of the Lindt cafe
06:07
We have images of the second woman who has fled from the Lindt cafe.
Two women, believed to be two of the hostages, have fled from the
Lindt cafe. That brings the total number of people out of the hostage
situation to five. It is still not clear if they are being released or
are fleeing on their own. Previously three men fled from the cafe.
Sydney siege: 3 people seen running out of Martin Place cafe – live...yes
Sydney siege: three hostages flee Martin Place cafe – live 05.35 GMT
LIVE Updated
Up to 30 staff and customers are being held at a cafe in Sydney’s CBD
surrounded by heavily armed New South Wales police. Some inside the
cafe were apparently forced to stand at the cafe’s windows holding up a
flag bearing what appears to be the Islamic creed
Armed police have sealed off Martin Place in central Sydney
Continue reading the main story
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Several people have been taken hostage by at least one armed man at a Lindt cafe in Sydney, Australia.
Hundreds of armed police have sealed off the normally busy Martin Place in the central business district.
At least three people have been seen inside the cafe with
their hands up against a window, and holding up a black flag with Arabic
writing.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described the incident as "deeply concerning".
Tony Abbott: "This is a very disturbing incident"
He said it was not yet clear who was behind the incident but
that it could be politically motivated, and that the National Security
Committee had been briefed.
"I can think of almost nothing more distressing, more
terrifying than to be caught up in such a situation, and our hearts go
out to these people," he said.
Apparent hostages inside the cafe were seen holding up a black flag with Arabic script on it
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said the
situation was not being treated as a terror incident, but confirmed
there was "an armed offender in the premises holding an undisclosed
number of hostages".
He said the situation was contained in Martin Place -
dismissing various reports of other incidents around the city - and that
police were "doing all we can to bring this to a peaceful outcome".
But he said police had not been in direct contact with the suspect.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says an armed offender is holding hostages
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says an enormous police
operation is in place, on a scale few Sydney residents will have seen
before.
The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place on Monday morning.
Witnesses saw a man with a bag and gun walk into the Lindt
chocolate shop and cafe. Police shut down the area, closing roads and
moving people away. The Martin Place station was also closed.
Streets have been closed around the building and people moved out of the area
Heavily armed police are surrounding the cafe
Roads have been shut down and the Martin Place station is closed
Police have upped their security checks across the city
The Lindt company said about 10 employees and 30 customers were
thought to be inside. Nearby offices were evacuated and police asked
people to remain indoors and away from open windows.
An armed man wearing a backpack and a bandana could be seeing walking around inside the cafe.
Television footage showed at least three people, thought to
be employees of the cafe and who were visibly distressed, holding a
black sign with the Islamic creed written on it up to the window.
Commissioner Scipione said police were "trying to work out what it
stands for".
The BBC's Security Correspondent Frank Gardner said the flag
was similar to but not the same as that used by the Islamic State
militant group in the Middle East.
Police have been escorting people out of nearby buildings
An Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter said that gunfire had been heard at the scene - but this has not been confirmed.
No injuries have been reported from the incident, according to a police spokesperson.
Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the
headquarters of two of the nation's largest banks. The state parliament
house is also only a few streets away.
Courts in the business district have been closed for the day, and a number of banks have said they will not open.
Lindt issued a statement on Facebook
saying the company was "deeply concerned over this serious incident and
our thoughts and prayers are with the staff and customers involved and
all their friends and families".
Sydney siege: leaders call for calm as hostages held in Martin Place cafe – live
LIVE Updated
An unknown number of hostages are being held by at a cafe in Sydney’s
CBD as heavily armed New South Wales police move into position. Some
inside the cafe were apparently forced to stand at the cafe’s windows
holding up a flag bearing what appears to be the Islamic creed • Summary of events: man, reportedly armed with a gun, takes hostages in cafe • Police arrest suspect over alleged terrorism offenses in Sydney raid • Central Sydney evacuated as police converge on Martin Place – in pictures
Police patrol the centre of Sydney during the siege in Martin Place. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
People seen running out of Lindt cafe
The NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and the premier, Mike Baird, speak
Tony Abbott: 'We don't know the motivation'
Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, releases statement
Sydney cafe under siege: what we know so far
Sydney Opera House evacuated
The prime minister makes a statement
04:39
People seen running out of Lindt cafe
It appears three people have fled from the Lindt cafe. One staff
member and what appears to be two customers were seen running from the
cafe while police stood out the front with weapons drawn.
04:28
A man has told the Daily Telegraph he bumped into the gunman outside of the Lindt cafe and the gunman threatened to “shoot him too”:
Craig Stoker told the newspaper:
He was wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it and a headband and carrying a blue bag.
The bag bumped into me and there was something hard in it. I said ‘watch where you are fucking going’.
“He turned round and said ‘do you want me to shoot you too?.’ I
looked into his eyes and they were crazy,” said Mr Stoker, a father of
four from Eastlakes. “I was pretty freaked out.”
Interestingly, Stoker told the Daily Telegraph the man was with two
other who were dressed similarly. So far we have only had confirmation
of one offender.
04:15
We have had reports on the number of hostages ranging from 8 to 50.
So really, it does not seem that anyone knows how many people are in the
siege at the Lindt cafe at Martin Place.
An unnamed witness rang Channel 7 for an interview and was coming in
and out of the building the cafe just before the siege happened. He
estimated there were about a dozen people in the cafe just before the
siege.
I saw the offender, we eyeballed each other. I did another [delivery]
load and then the guy had a gun, a gun in the blue bag and running out
of the building.
Reporter: When you looked in and eyeballed, as you said, the offender, what did the situation appear to be?
At the time it was quite calm, people seated at the table. People sitting around tables.
Reporter: Do you think he was perceived as threatening at that moment?
At that moment no. Not sure what was going on inside the store.
The witness said the lady next to him told him there was a gun and to run
03:52
Grainy images have emerged from the Lindt cafe siege showing what
appears to be the gunman wearing a black bandana emblazoned with white
Arabic script, my colleague Michael Safi reports.
First Look Media’s Andy Carvin has asked for people on Twitter to help translate what we can see of the bandana.
Consensus translation of the headband is "We sacrifice ourselves for you, O Mohamed.” Caveat: photo blurry, text incomplete. #sydneysiege
The consensus is: “We sacrifice ourselves for you, O Muhammad.”
Though this, too, is contested, with other suggesting “Sacrifice” could
also be interpreted as “Here for you”
03:51
Lindt Chocolate Cafe Australia have released a statement on the
siege. They have closed the rest of their cafes in Australia because of
the “serious” situation:
We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind support
over the current situation at the Lindt Chocolate Café at Martin Place.
We are deeply concerned over this serious incident and our thoughts and
prayers are with the staff and customers involved and all their friends
and families. The matter is being dealt with by the authorities and we
are waiting for any updates from them.
03:49
My colleagues Michael Safi and Shalailah Medhora have filed a full report on the siege of the Lindt Cafe in Sydney
03:35
Uber are now offering free rides in the Sydney CBD after a surge in a
demand led to $100 minimums for people who wanted to leave the CBD as
the siege was happening.
Uber Sydney trips from CBD will be free for riders. Higher rates are still in place to encourage drivers to get into the CBD.
03:31
Police have now left the Sydney Opera House which was evacuated for an unspecified reason, my colleague Oliver Milman reports.
A police spokeswoman said they were not currently responding to
anything at the Opera House although it is still currently sealed off.
Some contractors and performers have been allowed back in.
Updated
03:13
NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione on the flag that was put up in the window of the cafe:
Again, it’s a flag that we’ve had people looking at. We’re trying to
work out what it stands for but at this stage it’s probably best that I
don’t take that any further. We’re working with our partner agencies to
better determine what it is we’re dealing with there.
Scipione says there is no confirmation the siege is related to terrorism.
NSW premier Mike Baird was asked if the siege would change the way people approach their everyday life in Sydney.
No, it won’t and no it shouldn’t. We are incredibly proud of this
city. The values we hold dear and we will continue at every day to
protect them. Yes we are being tested today ... I am very confident and
thankful for the police and their activities and what they’ve done both
in the lead-up, what I’ve seen today. We’re incredibly lucky to have
them.
Updated
03:04
The NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and the premier, Mike Baird, speak
Andrew Scipione says there is an undisclosed number of hostages involved in the siege and one offender.
We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to
do to ensure that. What we also have is a number of incidents that
people believe they be connected to the event and that is not the
case.We have a lot of people concerned when they see a police vehicle
drive down their street to think that their suburb or shire might be
involved. That is not the case. We are very contained. We certainly have
tight restrictions and tight controls around that location and we will
work as long as we need to bring this to an outcome. The officers there
are trained and professional. They know what they’re doing and they have
trained for. I am sure they will get through this and this will be an
outcome that will be positive.
He does not confirm or deny that radio presenter Ray Hadley
has spoken to a hostage. He says police negotiations have been
undertaken with the hostages and police have not had direct contact with
the offender. There were terror raids this morning in Sydney and
Scipione says at this stage there is “no connection” between the raids
and the siege.
Updated
02:54
International leaders are beginning to react to the siege at the Lindt cafe.
At the White House an official has confirmed Lisa Monaco, the president’s top counter-terrorism advisor, has spoken to president Barack Obama about events in Sydney.
Canada and New Zealand’s prime ministers have also sent messages of support.
Acting Greens leader, Adam Bandt, has released a statement:
Our thoughts are with all those held hostage in Martin Place, their
family and friends. We share the distress of everyone else around
Australia as we watch this terrifying situation unfold. Our thoughts are
also with the police and security forces managing the incident.
This is a time for everyone in the community to come together as we hope for a peaceful outcome.
02:44
Conservative 2GB radio presenter, Ray Hadley, has
claimed a hostage has rung him. He took the call off air and 2GB is
saying the NSW police commissioner has confirmed this but I have seen no
independent verification of this. The police commissioner is giving a
press conference soon.
To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.
Updated
02:30
The Queensland police commissioner has ordered every available police
officer on to the streets but there is no indication there is a threat
in the state, the Brisbane Times reports:
Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart has ordered every available police officer onto Queensland streets as the nation reacts to the Sydney siege.
But Stewart said there was no indication or intelligence that any attack was planned for Queensland.
He briefed cabinet this morning on what he had been told, and said he had offered support to New South Wales police.
“We would do anything that we could to help them at this time,” he said.
But in the meantime he has directed his troops to step up patrols.
Updated
02:25
Uber is reportedly charging users a minimum $100 to get out of Sydney CBD, Mashable is reporting.
The price has been pushed up because of a surge in the demand. Uber has
a deal in New York to cap their surge pricing during emergencies but it
does not seem the same agreement is in place in Australia.
Updated
02:16
We have a video up on the siege reporting it began when a woman
outside the Lindt cafe saw a man carrying a sports bag with what
appeared to be a gun inside. She informed police who approached the man,
who then entered the cafe.
Updated
02:08
New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione will hold a press conference at 1.30pm.
Updated
02:00
Abbott says the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (Myefo) will
still be released today and the government needs to continue to go about
its business.
I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australian people
at a time like this, but our thoughts and prayers must above all go out
to the individuals who are caught up in this. I can think of almost
nothing more distressing, more terrifying than to be caught up in such a
situation and our hearts go out to these people.
Updated
01:57
Tony Abbott: 'We don't know the motivation'
Prime minister Tony Abbott is addressing the media. He says the
motivation of the siege is not known and calls it a “disturbing
incident”. He said there are “some indications” it could be politically
motivated.
We have to appreciate that even in a society such as ours, there are
people who would wish to do us harm, that’s why we have police and
security organisations of the utmost professionalism that are ready and
able to respond to a whole range of situations and contingencies
including this situation that we are now seeing in Sydney. The whole
point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being
themselves. Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society. Nothing
should ever change that and that’s why I would urge all Australians
today to go about their business as usual.
Updated
01:52
Buses have stopped running southbound on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
but it is not closed to all traffic, as some media outlets are
reporting.
Going by train across Harbour Bridge. Very eery to see virtually empty southbound lanes. Buses not running #sydsiegepic.twitter.com/JqLH3892Mw
01:45
The fiance of one of the hostages has spoken to my colleague, Helen Davidson.
We are not naming either of them. The fiance said of his partner, who
is being held hostage and has worked at the cafe for six months:
She’s the sweetest person ever who thinks about everyone. She took
some of my old shoes and made me wash them and she gave them to a
homeless guy. She just cares about everyone. She’s organised restaurant
bookings and stuff for her workmates.
Updated
01:41
Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, releases statement
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has released a statement on the siege:
Our thoughts and prayers today are with the innocent people involved in this morning’s incident in Martin Place, Sydney.
Our thoughts are also with their families who are seeing this
incredibly distressing situation unfold, along with the rest of
Australia.
I have full confidence in the skill and professionalism of our police and security agencies.
I have spoken to Prime Minister Tony Abbott this morning and offered him the Opposition’s full support at this time.
Australians can be assured that we are one when it comes to keeping Australians safe.
Updated
01:37
Sydney cafe under siege: what we know so far
We are almost three hours into the siege and there are a lot of
conflicting reports and speculation. Here is a brief rundown of what we
actually do know:
Customers and staff at Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney, were
taken hostage at about 9.45am. There are varying reports on the number
of hostages but four have been sighted in camera footage. They were made
to stand up against the windows with their hands raised.
There is at least one gunman.
A black flag with white writing was put in the window of the cafe. It is not an
Islamic State flag. The flag appears to bear the Shahada, an Islamic
creed which reads: “There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger
of God.” It can be a benign symbol and appears across the Islamic world,
including on the Saudi Arabian flag. But it has also been embraced by
jihadi groups such as Jabhat Al-Nusra, an al-Qaida affiliate currently
fighting in Syria.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, confirmed the national security committee of cabinet has convened for briefings.
Buildings in the area have been evacuated, as has the Sydney Opera
House, though it has not been confirmed why the Opera House has been
evacuated.
The prime minister will address media soon.
Updated
01:34
Sydney Opera House evacuated
The Sydney Opera House, which is about a kilometre and a half from
Martin Place, has been evacuated. It is not clear why and there are
conflicting reports about the reasons.
We have reports of further buildings being evacuated. We are being
cautious in our reporting so we will not go into any further detail but
other buildings in the area have been evacuated throughout the morning.
01:19
From my colleague, federal political reporter, Daniel Hurst:
The treasurer, Joe Hockey, had been due to release
the mid-year budget update at 12.30pm but those plans have now changed
in light of the Sydney developments. It’s understood the government
still wants to release the document today but Hockey’s 12.30pm press
conference has been called off.
Updated
01:16
Some images from the siege of Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney.
There is still no confirmation of how many hostages there are and at the
moment there is only one known gunman.
NSW police during the siegeWomen rush through Philip Street past armed police.Photograph: Don Arnold/Getty ImagesHostages holding their arms in the air at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Macquarie Street. Photograph: Channel 9
Updated
01:11
Prime minister Tony Abbott will address reporters in Canberra at 12.30pm.
Updated
00:58
I am seeing a lot of people tweeting/asking about the supposed police
raids taking place in Lakemba at the same time as the siege. Ray Hadley, a conservative presenter with 2GB, said raids of homes in Lakemba, which has a large Muslim population, were taking place now.
Sources have told my colleague Michael Safi there
are no raids underway in that suburb. About 20 police are touring the
Lakemba mosque as part of a police induction day, which may have been
the source of those reports.
Updated
00:54
New South Wales police have issued a statement saying they are trying to make contact with the people inside the cafe:
There is a police operation underway at Martin Place. Police and
emergency services have responded and a number of streets around the
area have been closed. The Martin Place train station is also shut.
Police are dealing with an armed incident and specialist officers are attempting to make contact those inside a cafe.
Some nearby offices have been evacuated as a precaution. Anyone else
in the area encompassing Hunter, George, Elizabeth and Macquarie streets
bordering Martin Place is directed to remain indoors and away from open
windows. Anyone in the vicinity but outside that area is free to leave
their buildings.
Police urge members of the public to remain calm and note that an appropriate police presence is in place.
Police urge the media to be responsible in their reporting. Speculation can cause unnecessary alarm.
Updated
00:49
My colleague Calla Wallaquist spoke to a woman evacuated from Channel 7 studios as the siege started: Mieke Buchan told Guardian Australia she was
preparing to go on Channel 7’s Morning Show for a guest segment when the
broadcaster’s live feed started showing footage of the siege.
“I looked up and the live feed was coming in of hostages pushed up against the window, looking terrified,” she said.
“The first direction [from police] was that we all had to keep clear
of the windows, and then we were evacuated and told to move back 100
metres, then some very concerned police made us move back 100 more.
“I have been to some fairly scary countries, but there’s something
about it being [in Sydney] ... Look at me, I’m still shaking.”
Updated
00:44
New South Wales premier Mike Baird has issued a statement:
All my thoughts and prayers are with those members of the public
affected by the situation in Martin Place and the NSW police who are
trained to deal with these events.
I have spoken to the police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and have full confidence the NSW police are working effectively to resolve the situation.
I will provide further information as appropriate.
Updated
00:40
Nathan Grivas works in the Lindt Cafe and arrived for work just after the siege started. He told my colleague Oliver Milman he saw one of his colleagues pressed up against the window.
“It was already locked [when he arrived]. I didn’t get a good look at
them, as soon as I saw the gun all I wanted to do was get out,” he
said.
He said he thought one of the hostages looked at him.
“Lucky I didn’t start at 9am today. Hopefully they’ll be okay.”
Updated
00:32
The prime minister makes a statement
Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has issued a statement about the siege. The national security committee of cabinet has convened for briefings.
New South Wales police and the Australian federal police are
currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin
Place in Sydney.
I have spoken with NSW premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible commonwealth support and assistance.
The national security committee of cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation.
This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians
should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are
well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and
professional manner.
We will provide regular updates as further information becomes available.
Updated
00:26
We have some images from Martin Place where a cafe is under siege. A
flag bearing Arabic writing, believed to be the shahada, has been hung
in the window.
Heavily armed NSW tactical response police on the corner of Martin Place. Hostages at the window of the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place.
Updated
00:21
The deputy prime minister’s office has refuted reports Sydney’s
airspace is closed. The airspace over Sydney CBD is not in shut down.
There are police helicopters in the air so air traffic is being rerouted
accordingly.
Updated
00:19
My colleague, Shalailah Medhora, is at parliament house in Canberra. She reports:
Just spoke to the speaker’s office regarding parliamentary security.
They beefed up security in October, adding armed officers inside the
building as well as outside. They’ll take advice from security agencies
as to whether they need to increase security today – so far they’re
sticking with the security they’ve already got. Speaker Bronwyn Bishop’s
office reiterates: “Parliament house is safe.”
Updated
00:16
Ray Hadley, a presenter at 2GB radio station, is saying a hostage taker wants to talk to the prime minister, Tony Abbott, live on air.
Updated
00:08
A bit of background on Martin Place in Sydney where a cafe is under
siege with staff and customers taken hostage by people who hung a black
flag with white writing in the window:
Martin Place is the business and banking centre of Sydney.
The Reserve Bank of Australia is on Martin Place, while the state
parliament house sits up the top of the Martin Place on Macquarie
Street. Government ministers have their offices in nearby in Governor
Macquarie Tower – buildings they share with Sydney’s top law firms.
Channel Seven has a recording studio in the middle of Martin Place and
high-end retailers – including those housed in the historic GPO building
– are clustered towards the George Street end.
At night Martin Place bars are full of bankers, lawyers,
politicians, their advisers and the media. Likewise, during the day,
coffee shops such as Lindt are popular meeting spots.
Updated
00:06
Australian Associated Press is filing footage from Martin Place where
police have been evacuating buildings and moving people away from the
siege.
Updated
00:04
My colleague Calla Wahlquist is at Martin Place,
where a cafe is under siege in Sydney. A flag with Arabic writing has
been hung in the window. She says a man who appears to be a priest has
been escorted into the building.
Updated
00:00
My colleague Michael Safi reports the flag in the cafe window appears
to bear the shahada: “There is no god but the God, Muhammad is the
messenger of God.” It is not the Islamic State flag.
He reports:
The flag that hostages appear to have been forced to hold up in the
window of the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place is not the Islamic State flag –
but that isn’t to say that Isis is not involved in today’s incident.
The flag appears to bear the shahada, an Islamic creed which reads:
“There is no God but the God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
It’s
a perfectly benign symbol and appears across the Islamic world,
including on the Saudi Arabian flag. But it has also been embraced by
jihadi groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaida affiliate currently
fighting in Syria.
Two Queensland men were arrested in September for allegedly trying to
enter Syria to fight with the group or facilitate the entry of others.
Having said that, Jabhat al-Nusra have not been known to have the
capacity or inclination to carry out terror attacks outside Syria.
Below is the shahada as it appears on the Jabhat al-Nusra flag.
Buses to the Sydney CBD are being diverted and the airspace over Sydney has been shut down.
23:55
It is important to emphasise, despite some media reports, that there
is no confirmation the black flag with white writing hung in the window
is an Isis flag. It looks to have Arabic writing and we are standing by
for a translation.
23:52
My colleague Oliver Milman is down at Martin Place and says a witness
saw a man with a gun enter the cafe and police quickly follow. This was
about 9.45am. It was initially thought to be an armed robbery.
It is not known exactly how many hostages are inside but Channel
Seven is reporting police sources as telling them 13. Four have been
seen in the windows where they were made to stand with their hands up.
23:46
Channel Seven have had to cut their live feed for police operational reasons.
23:43
Two more hostages have stood in front of the cafe windows with their
arms raised. A man and different woman to the one who stood in front of
the window before have appeared. This brings the hostages to at least
four.
Before the flag was placed in the window two hostages were seen in
the cafe pressed against the window with their hands up. One of them was
wearing the uniform of the cafe. It is believed there are at least two
men in the cafe who have taken others hostage.
23:31
Back to the flag in the window. My colleague Michael Safi, who
reports on Islamic affairs, says it’s hard to know for sure about the
flag because it’s cut off in the middle. He says it looks to him like
the Shahada which is the Islamic creed. It certainly looks at first
glance like it could be associated with Islamic State.
The flag adopted by IS specifically has an older
caligraphic design with a part of the shahadah and the seal of the
Prophet Mohammed (sws)
Updated
Channel Seven’s offices are across the road from the Lindt cafe and
they have a camera trained on the window showing a live feed for any
readers who want to tune in. There is no movement at the moment.
Martin Place is the business and banking centre of Sydney and
offices, businesses and other buildings in the area are being evacuated
by police.
Updated
A black flag with white writing has been hung in the window of the
cafe where the siege is underway. Channel Seven is reporting it is an
Islamic State flag but this has not been confirmed.
A gunman is reportedly holding people hostage at a cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place.
Channel
7 reported that an armed man is holding hostages at the Lindt Chocolate
cafe, opposite the broadcaster’s Martin Place studios.
A New South Wales police spokeswoman told Guardian Australia police were responding to an “unfolding” situation in Martin Place.
She would not confirm social media reports that a gunman was in the area, merely that it was an “ongoing operation”.
Updated
More on this story
Sydney CBD siege: hostages forced to hold black and white Islamic flag
Sydney CBD siege: hostages forced to hold black and white Islamic flag
Tony Abbott on the Sydney siege hostages: Our hearts go out to those people – video
Sydney siege: police cordon off Martin Place as hostages held in cafe
My colleague Calla Wahlquist is at Martin Place, where a cafe is under siege in Sydney. A flag with Arabic writing has been hung in the window. She says a man who appears to be a priest has been escorted into the building. Updated at 12.24pm central govt jobs
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Several people appear to have been injured
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking"
that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming
political motivation".
Mr Monis is well known to the Australian police
A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear.
Hundreds of police have sealed off the Martin Place area
About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building. Two more people followed about an hour later.
At the scene: Sydney
The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office
workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction
workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one
block away from the Lindt coffee shop.
Police have been escorting people out of nearby buildings
Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks.
NSW police during the siege
Apparent hostages inside the cafe were seen holding up a black flag with Arabic script on it
Streets have been closed around the building and people moved out of the area
Heavily armed police are surrounding the cafe
Roads have been shut down and the Martin Place station is closed
Police have upped their security checks across the city
My colleague Calla Wahlquist is at Martin Place, where a cafe is under siege in Sydney. A flag with Arabic writing has been hung in the window. She says a man who appears to be a priest has been escorted into the building.
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