Police operation at a café in central Sydney, Australia is over after the gunman Man Manis held some 40 hostages for over 16 hours.At least 5 have been injured including a policeman.
READ MORE: Islamist militant takes hostages in Sydney cafe, displays black jihadist flag
15 December 2014
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that the Iranian-born hostage taker was mentally unstable.
"He [Man Haron Monis] had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism, and mental instability," Abbott said. "As the siege unfolded...he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult."
Abbott said that Australian authorities knew of Monis' extremist outlook prior to the hostage siege, from threat letters he sent to Australian soldiers deployed in the Middle East.
"We know that he sent offensive letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and was found guilty of offences related to this," he said. "We also know that he posted graphic extremist material online. Tragically, there are people in our community ready to engage in politically motivated violence."
At the same time, Abbott praised police conduct during the tense hours of the standoff.
Tori Johnson was manager of the cafe. Died a hero, tried to knock gun out of Man Monis’ hand. #SydneySiege#9Newspic.twitter.com/rUlgU2U4T6
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
No explosives were found and all 17 hostages were accounted for, police commissioner for the state of NSW, Andrew Scipione, told reporters.
NWS police confirmed three people including gunman were killed, four more injured.
Critical incident established following #MartinPlace death http://t.co/QSpY6AJoei
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
#BREAKING 7News told three people have died after the siege - two hostages and gunman. Unconfirmed. #siege
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 15, 2014
Australian media reports the gunman murdered a hostage before being killed himself. However, this hasn’t been officially confirmed by NSW police.
Police rescue van arrives at the scene of the Sydney siege,which is over. Police yet to confirm reports 2 people died pic.twitter.com/OlKCh4x8Os
— DeborahClay (@DeborahClay) December 15, 2014
NSW Police cannot confirm breaking reports two people have died in the Sydney siege, saying all they can confirm is that the siege is over.
— DeborahClay (@DeborahClay) December 15, 2014
Police have now formed a line in front of media. #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/PcQrB9ByNL
— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson) December 15, 2014
Police have confirmed the siege is over. At least four hostages and one police officer have been injured, Sky News reports.
Sydney siege is over. More details to follow.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
There are unconfirmed reports the gunman was shot dead.
Bomb robot goign into #SydneyCafe#sydneysiege
— Partisangirl (@Partisangirl) December 15, 2014
Paramedics are carrying out injured hostages on stretchers. At least one hostage has been taken away by ambulance.
#SYDNEYSIEGE: Police storming #Lindt Cafe, paramedics on scene http://t.co/kJdiVv0nB9pic.twitter.com/Ny7rYKuH2g
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
SWAT teams are storming the café, while loud bangs can be heard and flashes seen on live stream.
Third bang. Yelling heard. #sydneysiege
— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson) December 15, 2014
Shots have reportedly been fired near the scene of the Sydney siege.
BREAKING @SkyBusiness : another five hostages seen escaping #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/vyRgI10t7F (@carsonscottLIVE)
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 15, 2014
Between 4 and 5 hostages are reported to have fled Martin Place.
BREAKING large bangs going off at #sydneysiege
— Leonie Ryan (@LeonieFRyan) December 15, 2014
More hostages were seen running out of the cafe just after 02:00 am local time, ABC news reports.
Jewish schools and institutions have been placed on lockdown across Australia amid the ongoing Sydney hostage situation, Israeli daily Haaretz reports.
“Jewish institutions across Australia are in lockdown, excursions have been canceled and tight security measures are in place,” a senior Jewish security official, who declined to be named, told the daily.
Monis was charged in 2009 with sending menacing letters to the families of dead Australian soldiers @9NewsSyd
— Laura Tunstall (@LauraTunstall9) December 15, 2014
Radical Muslim cleric Sheik Man Haron Monis has been revealed as the gunman behind #SydneySiege: http://t.co/7Q4Vnj6EOb#9News
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
Police authorities have identified the gunman as Sydney resident Man Monis, Nine News Australia reported.
#BREAKING: Man Monis has been named as the gunman behind the #SydneySiege. #9Newspic.twitter.com/NPeQvHs7Pn
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 15, 2014
Security expert Dr Sally Leivesley, “police are doing well of calmly controlling the situation”. #9Newspic.twitter.com/hjraV0vNkJ
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
The mother of one of the hostages at the café in Sydney told 2GB radio that her son had contacted her.
The woman, identified as Mel, said her son sent her a text: "Mum, I'm in the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney.”
“My heart just dropped,” she said, “I sent him a text message saying, ‘What's going on, are you OK?’ He said, ‘I'm OK mum, can't talk.’ I haven't heard anything since.”
#illridewithyou: Viral Aussie solidarity amid #SydneySiege Islamic State links http://t.co/UBuxbiXKDLpic.twitter.com/VQCuWegDQh
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
You guys are not alone! I'm here to help and so is your neighbor! #illridewithyou#sydneysiege#germanyiswithyoupic.twitter.com/ED1g14TjoV
— Josh Cahill (@gotravelyourway) December 15, 2014
PHOTO: Police officers talk near the #lindt cafe. #sydneysiege (Photo by Daniel Munoz) pic.twitter.com/QPIeORVgjg
— Marcus Higgins (@MarcusAHiggins) December 15, 2014
Sydney stands up to Racism and Bigotry with one beautiful hashtag #illridewithyou Take bow people! #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/MIjsin4267
— Chris McCarthy (@chris_mccarthy1) December 15, 2014
The gunman has made three female hostages at the café in Sydney voice his demands on camera. The videos were posted online, but later removed.
5 escape, gunman makes demands as standoff continues in #Sydney: http://t.co/A5nzlFSk6y@CTVCanadaAMpic.twitter.com/iqCpYWYMOR
— Watch CTV News (@WatchCTVNews) December 15, 2014
BREAKING : @campricenews: "Negotiators now in direct and consistent contact w/#sydneysiege hostage-taker (prev via 3rd parties)" ( carsonsco
— Sky News Business (@SkyBusiness) December 15, 2014
.: @nswpolice don night vision goggles as #sydneysiege approaches its 12th hour. pic.twitter.com/g0MeEOiH4g (@carsonscottLIVE)
— Sky News Business (@SkyBusiness) December 15, 2014
"We only hope that co-operation and understanding continues tomorrow as we work to bring about a peaceful resolution to this situation,” Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn told journalists.
She added that the community had "made our job much easier than it could have been.”
The siege of the café may last for days, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told journalists.
“We are certainly looking to increase those numbers in coming days if this drags on,” he said. Scipione urged those who are in contact with the hostages to ask them to “ensure the man inside speaks to police, speak to our trained negotiators.”
The US Consulate in Sydney said it will be closed to the public on December 16
“US Consulate Sydney informs US citizens that due to the ongoing police operation around Martin Place, the US Consulate will be closed to the public on Tuesday, December 16,” said an official statement.
SECURITY MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS: U.S. Consulate Closed to the Public December 16 http://t.co/WqwBtNgVxn
— US Consulate Sydney (@USConGenSydney) December 15, 2014
ROOTY HILL: all n/b lanes now open on the #M7#M7 just past Eastern Rd after truck and pedestrian accident. There may be more lane closures.
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) December 15, 2014
The #sydneysiege just entered its 14th hour. Love & prayers to the hostages and their families. Stay Strong.
— Melissa Doyle (@melissadoyle) December 15, 2014
Police tighten exclusion zone around Lindt Cafe where hostages are being held. #sydneysiege@amworldtodaypmpic.twitter.com/MZFCpEbVoc
— Brendan Trembath (@BrendanTrembath) December 15, 2014
Very little movement at the Lindt Cafe. One person, we believe to be the gunman, walking toward back office. He is carrying an iPad
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
#SydSiege : Anti-terror police are now on scene. @7NewsSydney@Y7Newspic.twitter.com/TRZdoHXgAu
— Paul Walker (@pdwnews) December 15, 2014
#sydneycafesiege : Large media contingent including international TV. @Channel7@7NewsSydney@Y7Newspic.twitter.com/qJx5JKutes
— Paul Walker (@pdwnews) December 15, 2014
Martin Place eerily quiet tonight pic.twitter.com/iTwofiUlRW
— Max Uechtritz (@plesbilongmi) December 15, 2014
#sydneysiege : Day shift becomes night shift - media position #phillip st. @Y7News@Channel7@7NewsSydneypic.twitter.com/DjpTVNPWow
— Paul Walker (@pdwnews) December 15, 2014
Religious leaders have joined together in prayer as the #SydneySiege continues to unfold: http://t.co/U4lxYOArVa#9News
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
"This man hasn't taken 15 hostages he has taken 500000 hostages who belong to the Islamic faith" @JamalRifi1@SkyNewsAust#MartinPlaceSiege
— Lillian Saleh (@LillSaleh) December 15, 2014
Public urged to go about its business as usual - Martin Place siege http://t.co/hIkQrMdK3upic.twitter.com/vjwbI8kc4q
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Community leader Keysar Trad, “what this man has done from a Muslim perspective is blasphemy”. #9Newspic.twitter.com/hQflMpzTWQ
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
A Muslim woman responded to #illridewithyou campaign:
To the ladies who I shared a cab with this afternoon - Mica and Dixie, thank you from the bottom of my heart. x #illridewithyou
— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) December 15, 2014
A kind lady named Mica drove me home after a cab that we shared from Sydney'sCBD wasn't able to drop me off all the way home #illridewithyou
— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh) December 15, 2014
Detectives arrive to speak to the families of the hostages held up in #sydneysiege@NewsTalk2UEpic.twitter.com/T8GPA3kV8B
— Leonie Ryan (@LeonieFRyan) December 15, 2014
90,000+ Tweets for #illridewithyou, 1,100 per minute. Trending number 1, globally. #SydneySiegepic.twitter.com/NGeyUifhd8
— Aust News Network (@AusNewsNetwork) December 15, 2014
The premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, has urged Sydney residents to go about their business tomorrow as they normally would.
“Unless you work in an exclusion zone, please go about tomorrow as you normally would. Exclusion zones can be found at http://www.nsw.gov.au/exclusion-zone-sydney …” he wrote on Twitter.
Hostages held in Sydney cafe forced to hold an 'Arabic flag' at the window - http://t.co/ZepMeGWEMG#sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/IicvF7PqQP
— Paul Vale (@PaulVale) December 15, 2014
SYDNEY CBD: Some roads remain closed around #MartinPlace due to the ongoing police operation. Details: http://t.co/gLIbAnl6Qx
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) December 15, 2014
Important info for anyone travelling to the Sydney CBD tomorrow. Services to run as normal, some minor changes: http://t.co/MknzP0HkDC
— Transport for NSW (@TransportforNSW) December 15, 2014
Premier Baird and Commissioner Scipione at the 8:30pm news conference re: police operation in Martin Place http://t.co/LOJQGsYcmc
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Muslims united in their efforts to #PrayForSydney. Strong in our rejection of evil. We are all #StandingforHumanity. #StandupforSydney
— Imams Online (@ImamsOnline) December 15, 2014
Religious leaders meet at Lakemba mosque in Sydney to pray for hostages #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/rOWfHfNmkf
— Mina (@mina_ysf) December 15, 2014
#SydneySiege LIVE FEED from CBD near #Lindt cafe hostage scene http://t.co/iuaLgRi7jjpic.twitter.com/Dj7tsdBv1B
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
Premier @mikebairdMP is encouraging Sydney-siders to go about business as usual. http://t.co/SNtD6wfXp8#9Newspic.twitter.com/QBZ185k3ff
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
UPDATE: "The hostages called on the direction of the gunman. I could hear the gunman in the background." - @MarkWBurrows#SydneySiege#9News
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
UPDATE: "The hostages called on the direction of the gunman. I could hear the gunman in the background." - @MarkWBurrows#SydneySiege#9News
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
UPDATE: There has now been more than 90,000 mentions of #illridewithyou tonight http://t.co/Yg80kag6qz#amazingpic.twitter.com/SEliFNmOfF
— Twitter Australia (@TwitterAU) December 15, 2014
Police continue negotiating with the armed hostage-taker in a Sydney city café.
Every Australian should be very proud of their police force today. #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/U4oQlEC3dL
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) December 15, 2014
Hostage situation nears 12-hour mark
@NST_Online: A female hostage stands by the front entrance of the cafe as she turns the lights off in Sydney. pic.twitter.com/urj4CSungZ
— กูเป็นกลางจริงๆนะ (@kupenkang) December 15, 2014
Australian Twitter users have shown their support for Muslim population by offering to ride with them on buses and trains, or giving them a lift to work to ensure their safety. The campaign was dubbed #illridewithyou.
“…and the (presumably) Muslim woman sitting next to me on the train silently removes her hijab,” wrote one Twitter user, “I ran after her at the train station. I said ‘put it back on. I’ll walk with you.”
A female hostage stands by the front entrance of the cafe as she turns the lights off in Sydney. #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/qNfCMv9yZt
— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) December 15, 2014
#Illridewithyou Twitter campaign in response to #Sydneysiege is now trending online.
— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) December 15, 2014
The Australian Muslim Community has issued a statement, saying that it "shares with fellow Sydneysiders their utter shock and horror at the unprecedented scenes emerging from the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place this morning.”
"We reject any attempt to take the innocent life of any human being, or to instill fear and terror into their hearts,” the statement adds.
"Any such despicable act only serves to play into the agendas of those who seek to destroy the goodwill of the people of Australia and to further damage, and ridicule the religion of Islam.”
Still complete darkness at the Lindt Cafe, but you can just make out the black extremist flag being held up in the window
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione delivered a message to all the hostages kept at the café: "We are doing all we can to set you free." He added that he doesn’t think there are other locations involved at the moment.
"My call goes out to the state to pray for them [hostages], to pray for their families," the premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, told journalists.
“We have the very best negotiators in the world working on this right now,” NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told journalists. However, he couldn’t confirm whether the five hostages escaped or were released by the gunman.
“I want to praise Sydneysiders for what they've done today,” he added, “There's no need for people to be in and around that area.”
“Our plan and only goal is to get those people out of that building. We have got contact with him [the gunman].”
I'm proud of how we've responded so far, but my principal concern remains for the people who remain trapped by this event. Pray for them.
— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) December 15, 2014
UPDATE: Mosques, synagogues and churches to open tonight for vigils. http://t.co/TOotDzz6FI#SydneySiege#9Newspic.twitter.com/nQxRlHvQhW
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione confirms that police are in contact with the gunman. #SydneySiege#9News
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 15, 2014
'We aren't in the business of speculating' - NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione #SydneySiege#9Newspic.twitter.com/Gr7YpBLf61
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 15, 2014
NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione understands that none of the hostages inside have been injured. #SydneySiege#9News
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 15, 2014
'I'm proud of how we have responded as a city, a state, and a nation.' - @mikebairdMP#SydneySiege#9News
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) December 15, 2014
An Imam, a Rabbi and a priest have just held a joint prayer session for the hostages at Lakemba Mosque #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/XROqdTCPHt
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 15, 2014
A friend's friend is held hostage in the #sydneysiege. She has posted the kidnapper's demands on social media. pic.twitter.com/ZharJQpLMv
— rati chaudhary (@ratichaudhary) December 15, 2014
The lights in the cafe have just gone off
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
Police have identified the gunman, adding that he is known to NSW Police, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). However, the authorities asked media outlets not to name him at this point in the operation.
What have we become?!? RT @MarkDiStef: The punters are back taking selfies 100m from the Lindt Cafe #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/RKHmXzPM1U
— Julia Holman (@JulesHolman) December 15, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Burn 6.30pm briefing re: Martin Place incident - http://t.co/GWZHjcwuTG
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
DRAMATIC VIDEO: #Sydneysiege hostages run from #Lindt Cafe, more remain trapped http://t.co/AUy05vbZjhpic.twitter.com/n3a3mdMoYU
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
When the 5 hostages escaped, the gunman could be seen from here getting extremely agitated, shouting at remaining hostages
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
An employee of the café, Kathryn Chee, saw her colleagues who had been taken hostage via TV.
“I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do. I started calling work. I called my kitchen manager. He didn’t get the phone. I just sat there [at home] not knowing what was going on,” she told ABS Australia.
Chee said that in the windows of the café she saw “three people that she knew.”
“My heart sank. It’s just a little café. We have regular customers…kids.”
2/3 I'm proud of the way police and security bodies have responded to the disturbing events today.
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) December 15, 2014
3/3 It’s been a difficult day, which has tested us, but like Australians in all sorts of situations, we have risen to the challenge.
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) December 15, 2014
All day several people have been putting their selfies of themselves near the besieged café on Twitter. They stood as close as possible to the scene where police operation is currently underway.
They were slammed by social media users. “Awful, do they not have any feelings. People are being held hostage and all they can do is take a selfie,” wrote one Twitter user. “I love a selfie, but how is this ok?” added another.
Loser, vapid idiots...//DailyMailAU: Shameful tourists take selfies at scene of #SydneySiegehttp://t.co/oJKuCoZhTSpic.twitter.com/IMqed83cn1"
— Celeste Granillo (@Celestial32) December 15, 2014
All the hostages now huddled at one end of Lindt Cafe, one is covering the window at that end with an apron
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
From inside Martin Place newsroom we can see gunman is rotating hostages, forcing them to stand against windows, sometimes 2 hours at a time
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Burn: “We are working with partner agencies to ensure the best response.”
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Burn: “Five people have been released.”
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
From inside the Martin Place newsroom - we can see food is being delivered to the hostages. Staff bringing it out from kitchen at back
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
Map: Exclusion zone remains around #MartinPlace as the #Sydneysiege continues http://t.co/aOuG4dmrHbpic.twitter.com/ZP0U1xNQzA
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 15, 2014
Yet another hostage has just been forced by the gunman to call the @9NewsSyd office - passed on his captor's demands #SydneySiege
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 15, 2014
Australian PM Tony Abbott has called an incident at the café “very disturbing.”
“It is profoundly shocking that innocent people should be held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation,” he said.
"Nevertheless, I can say that New South Wales Police and other agencies have responded to this incident with great professionalism,” Abbott added.
UPDATE: A woman who managed to scramble from the #SydneySiege appears understandably to be still in shock. #9Newspic.twitter.com/4M0q6XtY2o
— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) December 15, 2014
Police have been “in contact with gunman throughout the day,” Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn told journalists.
"There is speculation of what he might want. We are monitoring all forms of communication, including Facebook or Twitter," she said, "If anybody has information, please let us know."
Current wrap-up for #SydneySiege: Five hostages escaped the café in central Sydney, Australia, police confirmed. Earlier reports emerged that a sixth hostage had managed to emerge from the café. The gunman, who allegedly refers to himself as “the brother,” told police there are at least four bombs: two inside the café and two more in the Sydney central business district. He was also asking for an IS flag to be brought to the café. The siege has entered its tenth hour.
"Our approach is to resolve this peacefully. It might take a bit of time but that is our approach," Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Catherine Burn told journalists .
"We will be working into the night if this situation continues, and we will be looking at arrangements for tomorrow, but the message at the moment is that you should continue your business as usual," she added.
Police authorities are currently with the escaped hostages, Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn told journalists.
"We have been working through our negotiations to try to make sure that the people inside are cared for, that they have what they need, so that they don't become ill or injured, so we will continue to do that,” she added.
Statement from Tony Abott re #syndeysiegepic.twitter.com/S58raDZUyc
— Southern Cross News (@SXNewsTas) December 15, 2014
DRAMATIC PHOTO:Woman running from #SYDNEYSIEGE cafe, unknown number of hostages remain trapped http://t.co/m51P8dUPhBpic.twitter.com/uCRfqOnR50
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
A sixth hostage has managed to escape from the café, Sky news Australia reports.
#SYDNEYSIEGE UPDATE: 6th hostage escapes from #Lindt cafe http://t.co/m51P8dUPhB#MartinPlacepic.twitter.com/UcIRugA0Gy
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
One café staffer whose shift was about to start told RT what he saw.
“There was one man walking around with a hat and a beard… One guy said it was an armed robbery and that’s when the police showed up…” he said.
I was briefed overnight on the siege in Sydney. It's deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) December 15, 2014
According to an eyewitness, the gunman is a tall man in his late 40s and is dressed in black.
Aussie grand mufti & Imam Council condemn #Sydneysiege hostage capture http://t.co/m51P8dUPhB - LIVE UPDATES pic.twitter.com/tTw3kMkYTZ
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
The gunman who allegedly refers to himself as “the brother,” told police there are at least four bombs: two inside the café and two more in the Sydney central business district, local media reported.
The gunman who demanded to speak to Australian PM Tony Abbott is also asking for an IS flag to be brought to the café.
BREAKING UPDATE: Gunman demands to speak to #Abbott, asks to bring him #ISIS flag http://t.co/1ZlzKDjvSf#SydneySiegepic.twitter.com/L4GhXZUE2p
— RT (@RT_com) December 15, 2014
Its grainy but this is the man involved in Sydney siege #9news with updates on who cops think he is & what he wants pic.twitter.com/rAhHdE69Sq
— Darren Curtis (@DarrenCurtis9) December 15, 2014
Powerful & harrowing image of a Lindt workers escaping the #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/NltzGnXezS
— Neal Mann (@fieldproducer) December 15, 2014
Two more people have emerged from the Lindt cafe in #Sydney. Five hostages are now out #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/DHMPgW1l7J
— CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) December 15, 2014
Latest update re: @nswpolice operation at #MartinPlacepic.twitter.com/ZOjua2wley
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Such powerful images of hostages escaping, those poor women. And the fear for those still trapped inside #Sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/TeEnRk6JTi
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 15, 2014
The grand mufti of Australia and the Australian National Imam Council (ANIC) condemn “the criminal act unequivocally and reiterate that such actions are denounced in part and in whole in Islam.”
"This is a very disturbing incident and I can understand the concern and anxiety of the Australian people at a time like this,” Australian PM Tony Abbott said.
“Our thoughts and prayers must above all go out to the individuals that are caught up in this,” he added.
Two women, believed to be staff members, have been released from the café, reports Sky News Australia. In all five hostages have been freed so far.
Two women have emerged from the Lindt cafe in #Sydney. Five hostages are now out #sydneysiegehttp://t.co/4MUc9ivwbKpic.twitter.com/oVrob5DLD3
— ABC News (@abcnews) December 15, 2014
Another hostage has reportedly escaped the sieged café, a journalist from Nine News Sydney confirmed at the scene.
Vision of the three men who escaped the siege is just extraordinary, they look petrified #MartinPlaceSiegepic.twitter.com/iG4qIw4AeM
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 15, 2014
#SydneySiege: Map of central #Sydney, where hostages are being held -Channel News Asia http://t.co/o6GiwxFW2cpic.twitter.com/1fyg3ZY0Oh
— Julia Macfarlane (@juliamacfarlane) December 15, 2014
Security & police closed all roads in Martin Place #Sydney near the chocolate shop where hostages are held #Australiapic.twitter.com/UAWejzIcAa
— Rami (@RamiAlLolah) December 14, 2014
This is so gross (via @LetishaWillocks) #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/OKSHhaZbLV
— mat whitehead (@matwhi) December 15, 2014
Here's a transcript of PM Tony Abbott's full speech on the Martin Place siege: http://t.co/QEt7Avxa7H#sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/ARgcIBpVfB
— Stuff.co.nz News (@NZStuff) December 15, 2014
Mass disbelief: crowds looking anxiously, down Martin Place. #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/U8n9ZWgxmD
— Jeremy Fernandez (@JezNews) December 15, 2014
DCOP Burn: "Our priority is the safety of the people in the cafe and the safety of the people of NSW." #MartinPlacepic.twitter.com/sur0svIG8q
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Deputy Commissioner Burn: "We don't believe anyone else in the cafe has been injured." #MartinPlace
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
Hostages running from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place, as seen in footage from Channel 7. #sydneysiegepic.twitter.com/h746YWJgkF
— smh.com.au (@smh) December 15, 2014
Terrifying photo of hostages in Martin Place in Sydney, being held by men waving an ISIS flag pic.twitter.com/6ozBRQVNlG
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 14, 2014
The three hostages who left the Lindt Chocolate Café taken by the jihadists are now with police, Australian media says.
Australian authorities have cleared airspace over central Sydney to accommodate police helicopters.
Wildly differing reports on number of hostages being held at #SydneySiege From 13 to as many as 50. Police press conference due shortly.
— Lisa Wilkinson (@Lisa_Wilkinson) December 15, 2014
The hostages were reportedly seen holding a black flag with an Arabic inscription, prompting fears that Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) militants were behind the attack.
Ten café employees and up to 30 customers on Monday morning, around 10 am local time, were taken hostage at the Lindt Chocolate Café in Martin Place in Sydney. At least three people apparently managed to escape from the building, Australian media reported. Armed police have sealed the area surrounding the café.