UPDATE (5 p.m. PST): Australian Police have named two victims who were killed in the downtown Sydney cafe hostage incident. 38-year-old lawyer Katrina Dawson and 34-year-old Lindt Chocolat Cafe manager died in the siege.
40-year-old Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis, the hostage taker, was killed in gunfire with police during the final moments of the siege.
‘I’m glad he died’: Family members of the slain ex-wife of #Sydneysiege gunman express anger on social media – http://t.co/oMJKRYuMda
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 16, 2014
Touching statement from the family of #Lindt manager, Tori Johnson, killed in #SydneySiege. pic.twitter.com/lSbbUaJEHM
— Robert Ovadia (@RobertOvadia) December 16, 2014
Hostages caught up in #Sydneysiege forced to record chilling pleas on behalf of gunman – http://t.co/Q3hGfuDTSa pic.twitter.com/mxoqQCH3b5
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 16, 2014
Beautiful #sydneysiege tribute still grows. A great place to pay respects. pic.twitter.com/EAdhJqnJ8Z
— Alex Hart (@alexhart7) December 15, 2014
Siege hostages hailed as heroes Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson #sydneysiege http://t.co/oo32JlqyCA pic.twitter.com/oLfzDwaVKo
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
UPDATE (9 a.m. PST): Australian SWAT teams have entered the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in downtown Sydney. After 16 hours, the siege is now over and the hostages have been freed.
Reports by Australia’s Channel 7 indicate two people have been killed – the gunman and one hostage – and three people are in critical condition including a police officer. There was gunfire as the police began to close in on the cafe, eventually entering the store.
The gunman is believed to be Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis, a 49-year-old who received political asylum in Australia in 1996. He was on bail facing several charges.
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I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Police storm Lindt cafe. Live rounds fired. Hostages fleeing. Police and paramedics in building. More shots
— Alex Cullen (@alextcullen) December 15, 2014
SIEGE OVER: Police confirm the siege has ended after the scene at Martin Place erupts with gunfire as hostage flee the scene #siege
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
The casualties, unconfirmed: 2 dead, 3 seriously injured, including a police officer
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
Seven News has been told that the two dead are the gunman and a hostage. The hostage killed by the gunman
— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7) December 15, 2014
#BREAKING Gunman Man Monis confirmed to be one two people dead after Sydney #siege MORE http://t.co/KvJ7AU3VVv pic.twitter.com/tOi8IAYfIP
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
UPDATE (10 p.m. PST):
Five people have come out running out of the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney.
Three men managed to escape the gunmen, including one male wearing a brown cafe apron. Shortly after, two young women escaped also wearing Lindt uniforms.
According to Channel 7, police are still unable to confirm the number of hostages although it is now stated there are less than 30 people inside. Negotiators have also made contact with the gunman.
However, it has since been confirmed that the black flag displayed is not the same as that used by the Islamic State.
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EARLIER (5:40 p.m. PST):
Australia’s Channel 7 reports that as many as 50 people are being held hostage at a Lindt Chocolate Cafe in the Central Business District of Sydney, Australia.
The situation began to unfold just after 9 a.m. local time in Sydney (2 p.m. PST) when a gunmn took over the store. Channel 7 also has unconfirmed reports that the gunmen is wearing a bomb vest and that they have planted bombs all over Sydney.
Live television coverage also indicates hostages inside have their hands pressed against windows, with some hostages being forced to hold a black flag with Arabic writing – similar to the flag of the Islamic State.
The Sydney Opera House has also been evacuated after a suspicious package was found shortly after the hostage situation began. Airspace over the Central Business District has been closed and train and road routes into the area including the Sydney Harbour Bridge have been shut down.
“New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney,” said Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a statement. “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.”
Just hours before, a 25-year-old terror suspect was arrested in a raid in Sydney. Australia has been an ISIS terror target since it joined the U.S.-led coalition to fight ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria.
Lindt confirms 10 staff were working in Sydney siege cafe and up to 30 customers thought to be inside http://t.co/zQH8o3CxRI
— ITV News (@itvnews) December 15, 2014
We’re now hearing that up to 50 people are inside the Lindt cafe as the #martinplace hostage crisis continues. http://t.co/jfQHQxCKbb — 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Middle-aged man wearing black bandana seen directing hostages in #martinplace siege situation. http://t.co/jfQHQxCKbb pic.twitter.com/iBRBDqi9UX — 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Flag in Sydney cafe where hostages are being held ‘is not linked with IS’ http://t.co/kBSIaYKHtt pic.twitter.com/KuneM4q1km
— ITV News (@itvnews) December 15, 2014
#BreakingNews: Sydney cafe being held up #MartinPlaceSiege pic.twitter.com/bnwFpPwqm6 — The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) December 14, 2014
#BreakingNews: Sydney cafe being held up #MartinPlaceSiege pic.twitter.com/W55aLbsfvM
— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) December 14, 2014
1/2 The incident in Martin Place is obviously deeply concerning but all Australians should be reassured… — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) December 15, 2014
2/2 …that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough & professional manner.
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) December 15, 2014
Pictures of the scene around Sydney siege cafe http://t.co/CGRvh0b8sO pic.twitter.com/B9YtqAibGO
— ITV News (@itvnews) December 15, 2014
The Sydney cafe siege may be part of a larger plot. @Y7News #MartinPlaceSiege http://t.co/YXs0FUGX4m pic.twitter.com/6sKVEJQ9Li — 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
“Australia is a peaceful, open, generous society and nothing should change that” – PM Tony Abbott on hostage situation at Sydney cafe #7News
— Kristy Mayr (@KristyMayr7) December 15, 2014
“Almost nothing more distressing or terrifying.. our thoughts & prayers go out to the individuals caught up in this” – PM Tony Abbott #7News — Kristy Mayr (@KristyMayr7) December 15, 2014
Three people spotted running out of #Lindt cafe, shielded by heavily armed police. #sydneysiege #martinplacesiege pic.twitter.com/zfOg02uxU4
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
One staff member and two customers appear to have escaped the hostage crisis at #Lindt cafe #Sydneysiege #martinplacesiege
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Police say no evidence anyone’s been harmed in #Sydneysiege after three people were freed a short time ago. http://t.co/bo0F2pj8Nh
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Thoughts with 27 hostages and their families and prayers for good news to emerge soon pic.twitter.com/MbdB1zQ6HZ
— Adam Walters (@AdamWalters07) December 15, 2014
Performances at Sydney’s Opera House cancelled tonight in light of #Sydneysiege. Refunds and exchanges available for affected events.
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Two women, believed to be staff members, have fled the besieged #Lindt cafe – http://t.co/vmA1kTH0lk #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/eLtdPcvjk6
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
Hostage crisis about to enter its 8th hour pic.twitter.com/VFj2MJqo8C
— Adam Walters (@AdamWalters07) December 15, 2014
A freed hostage is being treated in hospital. Unconfirmed whether that person sustained physical injuries, @RobertOvadia reports.
— 7News Yahoo!7 (@Y7News) December 15, 2014
