Sydney Siege - Martin Place

[Matt]

Sydney siege: Hostages held in Lindt cafe


A gunman is holding staff and customers hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia.

The Lindt cafe in the city centre is surrounded by armed police. Officers have made contact with the gunman.
Five people have been seen running from the building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window.Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the national security committee in Canberra.

Earlier Mr Abbott said: "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."


Senior police officers say they are on a footing "consistent with a terrorist event".
The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a bag and gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe. Lindt said about 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time. Nearby offices were evacuated and police asked people to remain indoors and away from open windows. The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says an enormous police operation is in place, on a scale few Sydney residents will have seen.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-30473983
http://www.news.com.au/national/a-ma...-1227156241649

There's a video around from the Morning Show also showing the siege occurring live on breakfast TV.










Harbor Bridge was also shut for a short period along with airspace but it opened again a while after!

[Ekelektra]

I've been glued to the TV and Twitter all day it's pretty interesting although nothing really new has happened for hours. It was scary at the start though when no one knew what was happening and there were all these rumours going around.

[MKR&*42]

First thing ii saw on news when i woke up. The live updates on bbc are pretty interesting and the whole situation itself whilst interesting, is devastating

[scottish]

has it been resolved yet?

[Matt]

Still ongoing. Wouldn't be surprised if it carries on through the night. I have no idea why the police haven't just shot him from the rooftops of opposite buildings. I think they're set on trying to have a "peaceful" ending and they think they can negotiate. There's literally been no indication that there's been any negotiating going on. I feel so sorry for the hostages, they must be going through hell.

[scottish]

Still ongoing. Wouldn't be surprised if it carries on through the night. I have no idea why the police haven't just shot him from the rooftops of opposite buildings. I think they're set on trying to have a "peaceful" ending and they think they can negotiate. There's literally been no indication that there's been any negotiating going on. I feel so sorry for the hostages, they must be going through hell.

most police won't just snipe someone for the sake of it if there's no impending danger.

If they're actively threatening the life's of the hostages then they'll take action, but until then they'll wait for negotiators.

[Matt]

most police won't just snipe someone for the sake of it if there's no impending danger.

If they're actively threatening the life's of the hostages then they'll take action, but until then they'll wait for negotiators.

I'm pretty sure the negotiators have been there for basically 11 out of the 12 hours. Witnesses have said he's got some sort of gun and there's been a few points where he's apparently lost his temper (when the 5 managed to escape/were released). So i'd have thought there was more than enough reason to just shoot him?

[Ekelektra]

He was using hostages as shields and had them up against the windows, not sure if they still are but I don't think the police would want to risk the safety of everyone in there by just shooting

[lemons]

Omg another five people just escaped so scary

- - - Updated - - -

OMFG I FEEL SICK THEY JUST WENT IN AND THERE WAS LOADS GUNFIRE Omg please I hope no one has died

[MKR&*42]

So glad at seeing how many people have managed to flee, apparently it might not have just been gunfire - a stun grenade might have been used as well.

seriously hope no1s hurt

- - - Updated - - -

"unconfirmed" report that gunman has been shot + killed by police.