Sydney siege is over, say police, as hostages flee the scene – as it happened | Australia news | The GuardianSydney siege is over, say police, as hostages flee the scene – as it happened | Australia news | The Guardian










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Sydney


Sydney siege is over, say police, as hostages flee the scene – as it happened









Follow continuing live coverage here
Unconfirmed reports that two people have died
Alleged hostage-taker named as Man Haron Monis
Sydney siege ends as commandos storm Lindt Cafe and hostages run out
#illridewithyou: hashtag offers solidarity with Sydney’s Muslims



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Sydney siege ends amid sound of gunfire as police storm cafe and hostages flee.






Contribute with
Guardian Witness










Bridie Jabour, 
Katharine Murphy and 
Claire Phipps


Monday 15 December 2014 12.43 EST







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 4.43am AEST12:43 
Closing summary

This liveblog is winding up now – you can follow continuing live coverage on our new liveblog here.
Here is what we know so far, after the Sydney siege ended with a group of hostages escaping and police storming the Lindt cafe in Martin Place:

Police confirmed at 2.44am DST that the siege was over. Authorities will hold a press conference at 5am (6pm GMT).
There are – as yet unconfirmed – reports that two people have been killed, including a hostage.
Several hostages – thought to number five to seven – unexpectedly fled the cafe before officers went in.
Loud bangs were heard and NSW police confirmed live ammunition was used.
Other people have been removed from the scene, some on stretchers, apparently needing medical attention. 
A bomb disposal robot was sent into the building.




Emergency personnel wheel an injured hostage to an ambulance.
Photograph: Rob Griffith/AP


Police are due to give a press conference to update the media on the latest news – including details of casualties – at 5am (6pm GMT). Do follow ongoing live coverage on our new blog here.
Thank you for reading. 


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 4.31am AEST12:31 

Helen Davidson sends this round-up from the scene:

More than 16 hours after it began, the siege at a cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place dramatically came to an end.
Shortly after 2am a loud bang was heard coming from the building, followed by shouts from police and several people – including apparent hostages – running from the scene.
A sustained mix of what appeared to gunfire and flashbangs went on for 10 to 15 seconds as police stormed the cafe. At the sound of a second bang, an officer in bomb disposal gear appeared and there was another short burst of the gunfire/flashbang.
One injured female hostage was carried out by two police officers, and paramedics brought another three out on stretchers. Paramedics performed CPR on one.
Police will not yet confirm fatalities or injuries but the NSW ambulance service has said they are ‘treating and transporting a number of hostages’.
What they have confirmed is that the situation is over. The police commissioner will speak at 5am.
The police presence has significantly lessened but roads remain closed. 



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 4.24am AEST12:24 

There will be a press conference on the Sydney siege – when we expect to hear confirmation of casualties as well as more details of the rescue operation – at 5am (6pm GMT).
We will have live coverage of the press conference here.


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 4.16am AEST12:16 
Report: hostage treated for gunshot wound

There is still no official word on injuries and possible fatalities, but reports are trickling out about people from the cafe who are being treated in hospital. This via Royal North Shore hospital in Sydney:


— Sami Clare (@Sami_Clare)
December 15, 2014
RNSH confirms they are treating a woman in her 40s is in a serious, but stable condition with a gunshot wound to her leg #sydneysiege





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 3.56am AEST11:56 

Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers is at the scene and sends these images of the dramatic end to the siege:



Police go in to end the siege at around 2.10am this morning in Martin Place, Sydney.
Photograph: Mike Bowers




— Mike Bowers (@mpbowers)
December 15, 2014
Police and paramedics at work on a patient in Phillip street @heldavidson @GuardianAus http://t.co/WZkzCAbzYl pic.twitter.com/zuuC1w0obG





— Mike Bowers (@mpbowers)
December 15, 2014
Smoke in the cafe after the siege @heldavidson @GuardianAus http://t.co/WZkzCAbzYl pic.twitter.com/UkTYqrobDx





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 3.52am AEST11:52 
Reports: two dead, including a hostage

There are reports in other media that two people have been killed, among them one of the hostages.
I must stress that these claims are unconfirmed and Guardian reporters are currently attempting to verify them.
This liveblog will have the latest as we find out more information.


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 3.43am AEST11:43 

My colleague Bill Code at Martin Place sends further footage of the emergency services response to the end of the siege:





Emergency workers rush the injured from the scene.




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 3.22am AEST11:22 

We still have no confirmation of injuries or deaths – we will of course update you here once we have verified information on that. Police and ambulance services have not made any details public yet.


— NSW Ambulance (@NSWAmbulance)
December 15, 2014
@NSWAmbulance paramedics treating & transporting a number of hostages after @nswpolice resolve CBD incident pic.twitter.com/UKjLyG6u0d





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 3.19am AEST11:19 

My colleague Bill Code was in Martin Place as the siege came to an end and sends this video from the scene of hostages fleeing the Lindt cafe:





Hostages flee towards police officers.




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 3.14am AEST11:14 
How the siege unfolded




How the Sydney siege unfolded.




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 3.09am AEST11:09 
What we know about Man Haron Monis

My colleague Michael Safi sends this on the man identified in reports as the hostage-taker:

The man behind the Sydney cafe siege is reported to be 49-year-old self-styled ‘Muslim cleric and peace activist’ named Man Haron Monis, who is currently on bail facing dozens of charges of indecent and sexual assault.
Monis, who also goes by the names Mohammad Hassan Manteghi and Manteghi Boroujerdi, was infamously involved in sending ‘grossly offensive’ letters to parents and relatives of Australian victims of terrorism and troops killed in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009. He unsuccessfully challenged the conviction in the high court last year.
The Iranian-born man, who apparently converted from Shia Islam to Sunni only last week, has also been accused of being an accessory in the killing of his ex-wife, a charge for which he remains on bail.
He told ABC News in 2001 that he fled Australia five years earlier after falling foul of the Iranian regime, which he said had placed his wife and children under house arrest. ‘I can say they are hostage,’ he said at the time.




Man Haron Monis pictured in Sydney in April 2011.
Photograph: Dean Lewins/epa/corbis



A fringe figure in Australia’s Muslim community, Monis has been spurned by Shia leaders, who have reportedly urged federal police to investigate the man over his claims to be an ayatollah, or Shia cleric.
According to a post on his website, Monis converted to Sunni Islam in December, labelling Shia Muslims as ‘rejectionists’.
A rambling October letter he penned to the Muslim community rejected the ‘new religion’ of moderate Islam. ‘This pen is my gun and these words are my bullets, I fight by these weapons against oppression to promote peace,’ he wrote.
An image on the website appears to show Monis wearing the same headband that photographs suggest he donned during the Martin Place siege, reading: ‘We are ready to sacrifice for you, O Muhammad.’
Shortly after the prime minister, Tony Abbott, was elected in September 2013, Monis sent a letter inviting him to a live debate where he said he would prove that ‘Australia and Australians will be attacked’ as a result of the country’s participation in the war in Afghanistan.



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 3.01am AEST11:01 

To catch up with events so far, take a look at this report by my colleague Peter Walker: Sydney siege ends as police storm Lindt Cafe and hostages run out.

An armed siege at a cafe in the heart of Sydney has ended after police entered the building shortly after a series of loud bangs were heard and groups of hostages ran out onto the street.
In dramatic scenes about 17 hours after a single armed man, named in reports as Man Haron Monis, first took an unknown number of hostages, heavily armed police stormed the Lindt Cafe, in a building on Martin Place, a pedestrianised street in the middle of Sydney’s central business district.
Several bursts of gunfire could be heard, and several people were seen being carried from the building, apparently injured. Some reports said a police officer had been hurt. A number of paramedics were at the scene.
The chaotic scenes began as between five and seven hostages were seen running from the cafe, the second group of captives to escape since the siege began at about 9.45am on Monday local time. Later, other groups of what appeared to be hostages could be seen running out.




People run from the Lindt cafe.
Photograph: Joosep Martinson/Getty Images




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 2.53am AEST10:53 

Police have confirmed that the siege is over but there has been no update on the status of the hostage-taker(s) or the hostages.
We do know that several people were removed from the scene on stretchers.


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 2.49am AEST10:49 

NSW Police say they cannot confirm breaking reports that two people have died in the Sydney siege, saying all they can confirm is that the siege is over.


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 2.46am AEST10:46 
Police say siege is over



— NSW Police (@nswpolice)
December 15, 2014
Sydney siege is over. More details to follow.





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 2.41am AEST10:41 

There is still, understandably, a lack of clarity about the situation in Martin Place. My colleagues Helen Davidson and Bill Code are on the scene and say there is a huge emergency services presence. Reporters and others are being kept back.


— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
Police have now formed a line in front of media. #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/PcQrB9ByNL





— Bill Code (@billcode)
December 15, 2014
Sheer number of emergency workers amazing #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/L0FlSnnhar





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 2.38am AEST10:38 

Australia’s 7 News is reporting seven people carried away on stretchers, of whom five were being treated by paramedics as they were being moved.


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 2.33am AEST10:33 
Recap of recent events

There has been a flurry of activity in the last 25 minutes – here’s what we know:

 Several hostages – thought to number five to seven – have fled the cafe.
Loud bangs have been heard and police confirm live ammunition has been used.
Other people have been removed from the scene, some on stretchers, apparently needing medical attention. There are unconfirmed reports that four hostages have been injured.
A bomb disposal robot has gone into the building.



— Bill Code (@billcode)
December 15, 2014
Police carry woman from #sydneysiege. Air thick with smoke still pic.twitter.com/HydabuK8jX




Updated at 2.35am AEST

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 2.30am AEST10:30 

Helen Davidson in Martin Place says a bomb disposal robot is now going into the building.


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 2.29am AEST10:29 

Pictures are coming through now of the hostages who fled the scene around 20 minutes ago. It is not clear whether they were freed or escaped.



Hostages run towards armed tactical responce police from a cafe under siege at Martin Place.
Photograph: Rob Griffith/AP



Updated at 2.46am AEST

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 2.26am AEST10:26 



— Bill Code (@billcode)
December 15, 2014
People flee as explosions herd moments ago #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/BegBPi0bBW





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 2.26am AEST10:26 

More from Helen Davidson in Martin Place:

There are large groups of people emerging from the building. They all look like emergency services.
There’s one person on a stretcher, lying on their side.
At least four people have been wheeled out on trolleys, one appearing to be having CPR performed on them.



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 2.25am AEST10:25 
Police have used live ammunition

Reports says NSW police have confirmed that live ammunition was used – we assume by police officers. It is at the moment unclear whether any shots were fired by the hostage-taker. Journalists on the scene report multiple instances of gunfire.


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 2.23am AEST10:23 



— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
3 bursts of gunfire. First was long - maybe 10-15seconds. One wounded person carried from building. Lots of smoke. #sydneysiege





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 2.21am AEST10:21 

Helen Davidson adds:

They’re bringing in three stretchers with paramedics.

There are reports that one police officer has been hurt, but we cannot verify that at this point. I will bring you more on that as we hear it.
There are televised images of stretchers being moved away; I won’t publish those.

Updated at 2.22am AEST

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 2.20am AEST10:20 
Gunfire heard; reports of one person injured

More from Helen Davidson on the scene:

There have been two more loud bangs and some yelling. There is a guy in a bomb disposal suit. Now gunfire.
People are coming out, they’re getting people out.
There’s a bomb disposal guy on the scene. Cops are gathering near the door. They’re going in.
A lot of yelling. The dark-suited guys have gone in, there’s a lot of smoke coming out.
We can smell the gunfire now. More gunfire. Another shot, five seconds more gunfire.
A lot of movement near Philip Street, where the entrance is. Another group of people coming out.
Channel 7 TV is saying at least one person shot and fighting for their life.
Officers throwing grenades seem to have night vision goggles on.



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 2.16am AEST10:16 
'Police going in'

There are reports from the scene that police officers are entering the siege site:


— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7)
December 15, 2014
Police going in



There have been several more bangs.


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 2.14am AEST10:14 

More loud noises are being reported in Martin Place:


— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
Another bang. Officer in bomb disposal suit now on scene. Note though that these guys are often brought in as a precaution. #sydneysiege





— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
Third bang. Yelling heard. #sydneysiege





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 2.13am AEST10:13 

My colleague Helen Davidson is at the scene. She reports:

A few minutes ago there was a loud bang and a group of people ran out of the cafe, including at least one man with his hands up.
Other reporters say they saw five to seven people who looked like hostages. I can confirm at least one amid a group who might have been police.
It is not know exactly what the cause of the bang was – whether it was gunshot, or flash bangs, or an explosion.

The scene appears to be calm again now.


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 2.10am AEST10:10 

An update from our reporters in Martin Place:


— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
Hostages have run out of the cafe after loud bangs #sydneysiege





— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
Did not see how many. I saw one man with hands up amid a crowd. Others here say 5-7. #sydneysiege





— Bill Code (@billcode)
December 15, 2014
Bang as hostages run out #sydneysiege





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 2.09am AEST10:09 

Some hostages have been filmed running from the cafe with hands in the air, towards police officers.



A hostage flees the cafe.
Photograph: screengrab/Sky News




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 2.07am AEST10:07 

It looks as if five people have escaped from the cafe, or were freed – the situation is very unclear.


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 2.06am AEST10:06 
Hostages are leaving the cafe

There is video of hostages leaving the cafe now.


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 1.47am AEST09:47 

My colleague Bill Code is also in Martin Place, and reports that all is quiet at the scene at the moment:


— Bill Code (@billcode)
December 15, 2014
Police guarding the same paving stones hours in as we enter the witching hours #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/mUoyyrG3Jy





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 1.28am AEST09:28 

My colleague Helen Davidson is at the scene in Martin Place and sends this update:

Family and friends of the hostages have been staying at a nearby building since around midday Monday so police and emergency services can keep them up to date. 
There were some early complaints that not enough information was getting through and most people were watching the news on their phones. Occasionally people would walk outside to the steps for a cigarette or some fresh air, often talking to police or comforting each other.



— Helen Davidson (@heldavidson)
December 15, 2014
#sydneysiege now approaching 16 hours. Still people here watching, some are a *little* under weather. pic.twitter.com/InlEZCWIOP





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 1.23am AEST09:23 

Man Haron Monis, the man named as the alleged hostage-taker, is a 49-year-old self-styled “Muslim cleric and peace activist”, my colleague Michael Safi reports.
Iranian-born Monis told ABC News in 2001 that he fled to Australia five years earlier after falling foul of the Iranian regime, which had placed his wife and children under house arrest. “I can say they are hostage,” he said at the time.


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 1.11am AEST09:11 
Alleged hostage-taker named as Man Haron Monis

This is Claire Phipps, taking over from Katharine Murphy
News Corp and other news organisations have named the suspected gunman. The Guardian has asked NSW police for advice, and they have informed us that there are no longer any operational reasons not to report his name, so we can reveal that he is Man Haron Monis, also known as Sheikh Haron.


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 12.40am AEST08:40 
As we head for the 15th hour, what is known

It’s still quiet in Martin Place as the siege creeps towards its 15th hour. There have been no material developments since the early evening, but it’s worthwhile recapping as I handover to my colleague, Claire Phipps.

Hostages are still being held in the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place by a gunman who has not (as yet) been named.


The gunman has attempted to bypass media outlets by allegedly posting videos to social media sites outlining various demands.


NSW police say that at this point the cafe is the only area of intense police interest.


The advice thus far is the city of Sydney will function normally tomorrow – except for Martin Place, which is locked down.


Updated at 12.43am AEST

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 12.17am AEST08:17 

Sydney police believe siege hostages unharmed
The New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione says the hostages currently held by at least one gunman in Sydney are believed to be unharmed at this stage. Scipione says police are continuing negotiations with the hostage-taker although details of the communication are unclear. He asks those who have contact with hostages to ask the gunman to contact police.








    Sorry, your browser is unable to play this video. 



Sydney police have told the media they believe the hostages are unharmed.



Updated at 12.51am AEST

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 12.11am AEST08:11 

No, the videos are reappearing, I’m told. In any case – in the next post I’ll take stock of where we are before we execute a shift change here with our live coverage.


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 12.01am AEST08:01 

And just like that, the videos are in the process of being removed from YouTube.

Updated at 12.04am AEST

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 11.42pm AEST07:42 

There are some videos doing the rounds now on social media which claim to be from hostages in the Lindt Cafe. The gunman is apparently seeking to bypass traditional media outlets, who (for obvious reasons) are showing restraint about what is shared and broadcast about the siege. 


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 11.33pm AEST07:33 

Still slightly amazed about the pointless argument this evening about I’llRideWithYou. It’s just a moment, which really should be allowed just to speak for itself.


— Mariam Veiszadeh (@MariamVeiszadeh)
December 15, 2014
“@anggerwitasari: Thanks for protecting my sisters #illridewithyou ” big love and prayers for australia #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/hghTlRYkhW



Seven Network journalist Chris Reason is on the spot – meanwhile – in Martin Place.

Very little movement at the Lindt Cafe. One person, we believe to be the gunman, walking toward back office. He is carrying an iPad.



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 11.21pm AEST07:21 

Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Julie Bishop, has spoken to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and was cautious not to comment on the motivation of the hostage taker:

Our focus to date has been on the welfare of those people who are being held hostage in this siege situation in Martin Place. The matter is in the hands of the New South Wales authorities and I think it’s too early for us to speculate on the motivations or the detail.
Our concern is to ensure that this ends, hopefully peacefully, as soon as possible.



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 11.11pm AEST07:11 

Speaking of naming people – as I was in the post before last – I note some media organisations are naming some of the hostages inside the Lindt Cafe. I’ve been contacted with the identity of one person inside the cafe. For now, thirteen hours in, we are not naming anyone involved in this incident. I cannot imagine what these people, and their families and loved ones, are going through.


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 10.58pm AEST06:58 

It’s reassuring on such a terrible and confronting day to see gatherings of communities in Sydney, and expressions of goodwill.


— Mina (@mina_ysf)
December 15, 2014
Religious leaders meet at Lakemba mosque in Sydney to pray for hostages #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/rOWfHfNmkf





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 10.52pm AEST06:52 

Sky News in its rolling coverage is speaking now to a Sydney Muslim community leader, Jamal Rifi, who says NSW Police are fully aware of the identity of the hostage taker. Rifi says he personally is aware of the man’s identity. The gunman has not yet been named.


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 10.43pm AEST06:43 

While we are still in visual mode, here’s more video of the dramatic events in Martin Place earlier today.













    Sorry, your browser is unable to play this video. 



Hostages fleeing the scene of the siege earlier today.




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 10.29pm AEST06:29 

Here’s a picture from the exclusion zone this evening.



Roadblocks around the siege in Martin Place.
Photograph: Mike Bowers for Guardian Australia




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 10.24pm AEST06:24 

My colleague Daniel Hurst has an eye on the international coverage in the event bits and pieces emerge elsewhere. He tells me CNN has reported that US law enforcement and intelligence agencies are closely working with Australian authorities on the Sydney siege.


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 10.16pm AEST06:16 

Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, via Twitter.

Sydney is a safe & welcoming city, proud of its diversity. Great to see our best nature on show at a time like this.



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 10.01pm AEST06:01 

I note that people are now arguing the relative merits of the I’llRideWithYou hashtag. Amazing, really. If you’d like to look at a curated summary of the conversation and sharing underway at that hastag, have a look here.


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 9.47pm AEST05:47 
Summary, twelve hours in

The siege in Sydney’s CBD has hit the twelve hour mark. It’s worth recapping the main points of the past hour in the event you are just joining our live coverage this evening.

The siege inside the Lindt Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place is ongoing, with an unknown number of hostages inside the building.


A little while ago, an employee inside the cafe turned off the lights. The NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione declined to comment about why that would have occurred, citing operational reasons.


With many of the key facts around this incident still unknown or unconfirmed, the NSW police and Australia’s Muslim community are calling for calm.


Premier Baird says most of Sydney will operate normally tomorrow but there will be an exclusion zone around Martin Place.


Scipione says there is no evidence at this time that anyone has been injured in the siege; and police activity is centred on only one location – the cafe – at this stage. 


Updated at 10.04pm AEST

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 9.32pm AEST05:32 

We are having the odd technical problem with our visuals this evening. Keen readers may have noticed. It’s a small glitch and we’ll power through, never fear.
Speaking of visuals, here is a representation of events in the CBD today.





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 9.09pm AEST05:09 









    Sorry, your browser is unable to play this video. 




Updated at 10.43pm AEST

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 9.05pm AEST05:05 

For folks inclined to following events on social media do check out the Twitter hashtag I’llRideWithYou
It’s a really special thing, to see people reach out on such a day.


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 8.49pm AEST04:49 

Apologies for the lag – Mike Bowers, down at the scene this evening, sent me this picture just as we moved into that press conference with the police and the premier.
Here are the lights being switched off by an employee at the Lindt Cafe.



Siege in Martin Place, Sydney, on Monday evening: a woman inside the cafe moves to the door and turns off the lights.
Photograph: Mike Bowers for The Guardian



Updated at 9.19pm AEST

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 8.37pm AEST04:37 

The commissioner makes a very clear call for calm.
Scipione:

Clearly reprisal attacks are something that should not happen. At this stage, we need to let everyone just settle down.
We want people to remain calm.



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 8.35pm AEST04:35 

The commissioner is asked about onlookers, should they clear the area? He says the community acted impeccably today, and he’d be glad to see that continue.
Scipione:

There is no need for people to be in and around that area for there is nothing to be seen. Again, if we can get that level of support tomorrow as we did today, we will be in a good place managing crowds or any such gathering.

The commissioner also indicates the police think there is only one location of interest at this point.
Q: Have you cleared the Opera House and buildings of any explosive devices?

We are only at this stage dealing with one location. We are not concerned at this stage about any other.


Updated at 8.44pm AEST

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 8.32pm AEST04:32 

Commissioner Scipione is not prepared to be expansive with detail this evening.
Q: Has he been known to police?

We won’t go into the details about who is in there, how many are in there. We are not in a position to do that at the moment.

Q: Do you know who is in there?

At this stage we are putting that picture together. At this stage in terms of numbers, who they might be, we are not at liberty to go into that information.

Q: Can you tell us those five people, did they escape or were they released? 

They are out of the building and rather than talk about how that happened, we are pleased to see them out. 



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 8.29pm AEST04:29 

The police commissioner is asked why the lights have gone off in the cafe in Martin Place. He won’t enter discussion about that.

 When the time is right we can talk about that.

Q: What do you know of the condition of the hostages inside?

I understand no-one has been injured. And we are grateful.



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 8.26pm AEST04:26 

Commissioner Scipione opens his remarks thus:

Can I start by saying our plan, our only goal tonight and for as long as this takes, is to get those people that are currently caught in that building, out of there safely. That remains our number one priority and nothing will change.
I’m sure there are many questions that you might have for us and I’m not going to necessarily be in a position to give you that information because I will not be going into the tactics or strategies that we are employing – suffice to say we have large numbers of police, they are in contact and we are working to resolve this just as quickly as we possibly can.



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 8.25pm AEST04:25 

Baird says in terms of tomorrow, the city of Sydney will operate as normal but an exclusion zone will remain around Martin Place.


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 8.23pm AEST04:23 
Update from NSW premier Mike Baird and NSW police

The premier Mike Baird is currently addressing reporters. Baird thanks the police and the community for the response to the events throughout the day.
The premier:

I’m certainly proud of how we have responded as a city, state and a nation – but my thoughts remain with those that are caught in this event. And my call goes out to the state to pray for them, to pray for their families.
Earlier tonight the commissioner and I also had a conference call with the Islamic leaders. They expressed their full confidence and support with what the NSW police are doing, and the commissioner and I thank them for it.
We are in this together.



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 8.17pm AEST04:17 

The Muslim community has issued a statement this evening expressing shock and horror at the events in Martin Place. The statement expresses hope that the situation can be resolved soon, and it calls for calm and responsible reporting.


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 8.10pm AEST04:10 

While we wait for the update from police, my colleague Daniel Hurst has sent me this summary of the political reaction today.
Australia’s political leaders have expressed their concern for the hostages in the Sydney siege while also seeking to project a message of reassurance during the unfolding events.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, said it was a “very disturbing” and “profoundly shocking” event but repeatedly stated his confidence in the capacity of NSW police and federal agencies - adding that people should be proud of law-enforcement’s response.
Abbott, who received briefings at several national security committee meetings, said shortly after lunchtime that the perpetrator’s motivation was yet to be determined. In a subsequent message recording this evening, Abbott said the armed person was claiming a political motivation.
He praised the people of Sydney “for the calmness with which they have reacted to this disturbing incident. We are a free, open and generous people and today we have responded to this in character … Yes, it has been a difficult day. Yes, it is a day which has tested us, but, so far, like Australians in all sorts of situations, we have risen to the challenge.”
The opposition leader, Bill Shorten, expressed similar sentiments: “Australians are shocked, but we won’t be shaken. We face moments like this with resolute spirit. At times like this, it’s more critical than ever that the Australian community be solid, stick together, be united.”
The developing events forced the government to delay the release of its much-anticipated budget update, which showed a dramatic reduction in forecast revenue. The treasurer Joe Hockey - one of seven members of the national security committee - fronted the media an hour and a half later than expected. “We will not be intimidated.”

Updated at 8.11pm AEST

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 7.55pm AEST03:55 

Thanks very much to Bridie Jabour for superb, steady and informative coverage throughout the day.
It’s Katharine Murphy with you now, and I will take you into the evening.
We expect a news conference in around twenty minutes headed by the NSW premier Mike Baird and the NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione.


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 7.48pm AEST03:48 
Siege enters 11th hour - what we know


Five hostages have fled the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place in Sydney and an unknown number remain inside. It is not clear if the hostages escaped or were freed and police are not confirming either ways for operational reasons. One of the hostages is in St Vincent’s Hospital in a “satisfactory condition”.
Police have identified the gunman but have asked media outlets not to publish his name. At this stage there is only one confirmed gunman.
Police are treating the siege as a Counter Terror operation.
The gunman took customers and staff at the Lindt Cafe hostage at 9.45am AEDT in Sydney and has contacted multiple media outlets making demands through the hostages.
Mosques, synagogues and churches across Australia are inviting the public to gather tonight to pray for a peaceful resolution to the siege at Lindt Cafe in Sydney in a show of multi-faith unity.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said the gunman has political motivations in a statement to media: 


This is a very disturbing incident. It is profoundly shocking that innocent people should be held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation.

Premier Mike Baird and NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, are due to give another press conference in about half an hour. I am going to hand the reins of the liveblog over to the trusty hands of Katharine Murphy and perhaps I will see you again in the morning. 


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 7.32pm AEST03:32 

The Channel 7 newsroom looks directly into the Lindt Cafe where five hostages are under siege from a gunman. Reporter Chris Reason has been tweeting what he could see and says they are now huddled at one end of the cafe after being fed earlier.


— Chris Reason (@ChrisReason7)
December 15, 2014
From inside Martin Place newsroom, we've counted around 15 hostages - not 50 - mix of women, men, young, old - but no children.





— 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
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
All the hostages now huddled at one end of Lindt Cafe, one is covering the window at that end with an apron





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 7.21pm AEST03:21 

My colleague Calla Wahlquist is down at Martin Place where about 300 people are gathered as the siege nears the 10 hour mark.


Among the spectators is Muslim woman Nadia El-Mouelhy.


El-Mouelhy works in Martin Place and said she contacted police when news of the siege broke to see if she could help.


“I feel sorry for the people involved,” she said.


“My heart just came here, and then I went back and prayed, and then I came back here.”


“I have been making prayers, making d’ua, all day for them.”


El-Mouelhy said her hijab had drawn attention. She called out one man, who was shouting that there was no such thing as a moderate Muslim, saying “I am a moderate Muslim.”


“If I took my headscarf off I would be just another member of the crowd,” she said.



Updated at 7.22pm AEST

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 7.10pm AEST03:10 

One of the hostages managed to call her fiance and tell him she loved him before hanging up earlier today, my colleague Helen Davidson reports.
We are choosing not to identify the hostage or her partner.
He said she must have managed to call him from another room and she said she loved him and couldn’t wait to see him before hanging up.
He said she sounded scared but he thought it was brave. He then texted her and an hour later got a reply again saying she loved him.


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 7.08pm AEST03:08 

Below is an image of the alleged gunman. The image has been making the rounds on social media for a few hours but the Guardian waited to view extended footage of him before posting it.



Sydney siege
Photograph: Network Seven




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 6.57pm AEST02:57 

Below is footage of the two women running from the Lindt Cafe after being held hostage for about eight hours. They sprint towards police and seem to want to keep going even once they have reached the police.













    Sorry, your browser is unable to play this video. 





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 6.49pm AEST02:49 

NSW deputy police commissioner, Catherine Burn, is giving another press conference. She will not say whether the five hostages who are out of the Lindt cafe were freed or escaped. 

I won’t clarify any operation tactics at the moment. It is really important to remember that this is ongoing, that we still have people who are being held. We still have a person that we are dealing with. So as soon as we are able to provide that information, we certainly will but the good news is that we do have five people who have come out of that building and that we are now dealing with.

Interesting to note Burn keeps referring to “a person” so it seems there is only one gunman, a detail that has not been emphatically confirmed today.
Burn says police have been in contact with the man throughout the day in various forms and were negotiating with him, though she would not reveal his demands. Multiple media outlets have been contacted by hostages as the gunman makes demands through them but police have asked the demands not be reported.

We have been in contact throughout the day in various forms and it’s an important part of our negotiation that we do not talk about some of the tactics or information that is being passed but this is a very, very well-tested system of negotiation that we use, it is world class and it might take a little bit of time but safety of those people inside is what is paramount.

Burn will not say how many hostages there are saying it is not “particularly useful”.

Updated at 6.50pm AEST

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 6.37pm AEST02:37 

New South Wales Premier, Mike Baird:


— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP)
December 15, 2014
Have just spoken with leaders of Sydney's valued Islamic community. Appreciated their support and reassured them we're in this together.





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 6.35pm AEST02:35 

Mosques, synagogues and churches across Australia are inviting the public to gather tonight to pray for a peaceful resolution to the siege at Lindt Cafe in Sydney. 
Mosques, including Lakemba Mosque (63-65 Wangee Rd, Lakemba) and Auburn Gallipoli Mosque (15-19 Gelibolu Parade, Auburn) in Sydney, Omar Bin Alkhatab Mosque (658 Marion Rd, Park Holme) in Adelaide and Holland Park Mosque (309 Nursery Rd, Holland Park) in Brisbane will join with churches and synagogues in opening their doors from 8pm for prayer and as a show of community solidarity.

We are calling on all those who believe in prayer, to pray for the safety of the hostages, and that our nation will not become hostage to fear and hatred,” said Jarrod McKenna, National Director of Common Grace and Westcity Church Teaching Pastor. 

St George’s Anglican Church in Paddington and St Mark’s Darling Point are among those that have already opened their churches to the public to pray.In Adelaide, faith leaders from a range of traditions and denominations will gather at Omar Bin Alkhatab Mosque from 8pm to pray for those being held hostage and for national unity.In Melbourne, the Caulfield Hebrew Congregation synagogue will open for prayers from 7pm (572 Inkerman St, North Caulfield) and in Canberra, the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre will host an interfaith prayer service from 730pm (180 London Circuit, ACT).


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 6.20pm AEST02:20 

More international leaders have shown support for Australia after the Canadian and New Zealand prime ministers sent messages. The Indian and British prime ministers, have tweeted about the siege.


— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)
December 15, 2014
The incident in Sydney is disturbing. Such acts are inhuman & deeply unfortunate. I pray for everyone's safety.





— David Cameron (@David_Cameron)
December 15, 2014
I was briefed overnight on the siege in Sydney. It's deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.




Updated at 6.25pm AEST

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 6.11pm AEST02:11 

Prime minister Tony Abbott says the hostage taker is “claiming political motivation”.
He has released a statement after chairing a meeting of the National Security Committee of the Cabinet which was briefed by the NSW Premier, Mike Baird, and the NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione.

This is a very disturbing incident. It is profoundly shocking that innocent people should be held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation. 

Abbott says different governments, agencies and police have been working together all day and he commends the people of Sydney on their calmness.

Obviously, images have been beamed around our country and around the world. I’ve received messages of support from a number of international leaders and I thank them for their encouragement on this difficult day. Yes, it has been a difficult day. Yes, it is a day which has tested us, but so far, like Australians in all sorts of situations, we have risen to the challenge.


Updated at 6.40pm AEST

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 6.07pm AEST02:07 
Siege enters ninth hour - what we know so far

Customers and staff of Lindt Cafe in Martin Place were taken hostage by at least one armed gunman in Sydney this morning at 9.45am AEDT. 

Five people, three men and two women, have fled the cafe. It is not known how many hostages there are but NSW deputy policy commissioner, Catherine Burn, said it is not more than 30. One of the hostages is in hospital in a “satisfactory condition”.
There is at least one offender.
The hostages were forced to raise a black flag with white writing. It has been wrongly reported as a flag of Islamic State. 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.
NSW Police have confirmed they are operating on counter terror protocols.
Hostages have contacted at least three separate media outlets. Police have asked media outlets not to reveal the content of the conversations.


Updated at 6.14pm AEST

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 5.45pm AEST01:45 

Channel 10 is the third media outlet saying they have been contacted by hostages in the Lindt cafe. Police have specifically requested media outlets not reveal the content of the conversations. The other two outlets are 2GB radio and News Corp Australia.

Updated at 6.15pm AEST

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 5.41pm AEST01:41 

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.


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 5.40pm AEST01:40 

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. 


— Let it Di Stefasnow (@MarkDiStef)
December 15, 2014
The punters are back taking selfies 100m from the Lindt Cafe #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/JoAa9JO0Ep





— Let it Di Stefasnow (@MarkDiStef)
December 15, 2014
A detection dog deployed and is weaving through those gathered to watch #sydneysiege... more booze in the crowd. pic.twitter.com/toNgzLteV8





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 5.34pm AEST01:34 

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.


— Julia Calixto (@julescalixto)
December 15, 2014
Crowds grow @martinplace #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/uvqw1z8Z9L





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 5.29pm AEST01:29 
Police operating on Counter Terrorism protocols

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.

Updated at 5.59pm AEST

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 5.18pm AEST01:18 

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 at 5.18pm AEST

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 5.07pm AEST01:07 

We have images of the second woman who has fled from the Lindt cafe.


— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd)
December 15, 2014
UPDATE: A total of five hostages have fled the Lindt building in the dramatic #siege in #MartinPlace. #9News pic.twitter.com/wkPfJWlEof





— Airlie Walsh (@AirlieWalsh)
December 15, 2014
Two female hostages have managed to get out. This brings a total of five to have escaped. Chilling pics on @9NewsAUS. pic.twitter.com/sVNHz3Y5Hj





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 5.02pm AEST01:02 

We have an image of one of the women fleeing the Lindt cafe. Two women are the latest to flee the cafe, both believed to be Lindt cafe staff members.


— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd)
December 15, 2014
UPDATE: Two more hostages can be seen running from a different exit of the #siege, more Lindt workers. #9News pic.twitter.com/iHA9GANorH





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 5.00pm AEST01:00 
Two women out of 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.


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 4.53pm AEST00:53 

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.


— Cat (@ff3366)
December 15, 2014
vile RT @fakeedbutler: THE INSTANT WE CHANGED FOREVER pic.twitter.com/BPoui8kmKJ





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 4.45pm AEST00:45 

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 here 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.






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 4.42pm AEST00:42 

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.


— Kelly Fedor (@KellyFedor)
December 15, 2014
#9news is working with NSW Police after two hostages made contact. The calls haven't been put to air.





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 4.39pm AEST00:39 

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.



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 4.35pm AEST00:35 

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.



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 4.24pm AEST00:24 

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.
Photograph: Richard Milnes/Richard Milnes/Demotix/Corbis



Updated at 4.26pm AEST

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 4.18pm AEST00:18 

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.


— Susannah Guthrie (@susguthrie)
December 15, 2014
Incredible images coming out of Martin Place as three men escape hostage situation. More here: http://t.co/CgrA6ows1g pic.twitter.com/hc17aoJL0a





— ABC News (@abcnews)
December 15, 2014
NSW Police confirm three people have emerged from the Lindt cafe in Martin Place #sydneysiege http://t.co/4MUc9ivwbK pic.twitter.com/ZoZyJnkANL





— Shannon Carr (@ShannonCarr_10)
December 15, 2014
RT @TenNewsSydney: #breaking - one of three men runs out front door of #Lindt cafe during #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/RWela2R2Iz





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 4.05pm AEST00:05 
Three hostages flee cafe - what we know so far

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 at 4.25pm AEST

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 3.46pm AEST23:46 

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.


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 3.39pm AEST23:39 
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. 


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 3.28pm AEST23:28 

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 at 3.45pm AEST

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 3.15pm AEST23:15 

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 at 3.47pm AEST

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 2.52pm AEST22:52 

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.


— Andy Carvin (@acarvin)
December 15, 2014
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 at 3.47pm AEST

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 2.51pm AEST22:51 

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.



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 2.49pm AEST22:49 

My colleagues Michael Safi and Shalailah Medhora have filed a full report on the siege of the Lindt Cafe in Sydney here.


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 2.35pm AEST22:35 

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 (@Uber_Sydney)
December 15, 2014
Uber Sydney trips from CBD will be free for riders. Higher rates are still in place to encourage drivers to get into the CBD.





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 2.31pm AEST22:31 

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 at 2.50pm AEST

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 2.13pm AEST22:13 

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 at 2.51pm AEST

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 2.04pm AEST22:04 
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 at 2.53pm AEST

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 1.54pm AEST21:54 

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.


— John Key (@johnkeypm)
December 15, 2014
I’ve contacted Prime Minister @TonyAbbottMHR to let him know our thoughts are with the people of Australia today.





— Stephen Harper (@pmharper)
December 15, 2014
Canada's thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends. #MartinPlace #SydneySiege





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 1.46pm AEST21:46 

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.



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 1.44pm AEST21:44 

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.


— 2GB 873 (@2GB873)
December 15, 2014
To clarify, Ray Hadley was contacted by the hostage, the call was taken off air and then confirmed by the Police Commissioner.




Updated at 1.46pm AEST

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 1.30pm AEST21:30 

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 at 2.15pm AEST

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 1.25pm AEST21:25 

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 at 1.39pm AEST

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 1.16pm AEST21:16 

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.








    Sorry, your browser is unable to play this video. 




Updated at 1.31pm AEST

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 1.08pm AEST21:08 

New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione will hold a press conference at 1.30pm.

Updated at 2.15pm AEST

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 1.00pm AEST21:00 

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 at 2.15pm AEST

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 12.57pm AEST20:57 
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 at 2.15pm AEST

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 12.52pm AEST20:52 

Buses have stopped running southbound on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. but it is not closed to all traffic, as some media outlets are reporting.


— Juliette Saly (@julesaly)
December 15, 2014
Going by train across Harbour Bridge. Very eery to see virtually empty southbound lanes. Buses not running #sydsiege pic.twitter.com/JqLH3892Mw





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 12.45pm AEST20:45 

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 at 12.52pm AEST

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 12.41pm AEST20:41 
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 at 12.58pm AEST

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 12.37pm AEST20:37 
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 at 12.50pm AEST

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 12.34pm AEST20:34 
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.


— ABC News (@abcnews)
December 15, 2014
Police chopper hovers over a deserted Opera House concourse. #sydneysiege http://t.co/7NdqPYhwcY @cberkman pic.twitter.com/BiZO12n1St





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 12.29pm AEST20:29 

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.


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 12.19pm AEST20:19 

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 at 12.30pm AEST

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 12.16pm AEST20:16 

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
Photograph: Channel 9





Women rush through Philip Street past armed police.
Photograph: Don Arnold/Getty Images





Hostages holding their arms in the air at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Macquarie Street. 
Photograph: Channel 9



Updated at 2.58pm AEST

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 12.11pm AEST20:11 

Prime minister Tony Abbott will address reporters in Canberra at 12.30pm.

Updated at 12.31pm AEST

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 11.58am AEST19:58 

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 at 12.15pm AEST

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 11.54am AEST19:54 

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 at 12.03pm AEST

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 11.49am AEST19:49 

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 at 12.16pm AEST

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 11.44am AEST19:44 

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 at 12.18pm AEST

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 11.40am AEST19:40 

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 at 12.19pm AEST

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 11.32am AEST19:32 
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 at 12.20pm AEST

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 11.26am AEST19:26 

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. 
Photograph: Channel Nine





Hostages at the window of the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place.
Photograph: Channel Nine



Updated at 3.00pm AEST

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 11.21am AEST19:21 

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 at 11.22am AEST

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 11.19am AEST19:19 

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 at 12.23pm AEST

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 11.16am AEST19:16 

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 at 11.22am AEST

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 11.08am AEST19:08 

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 at 2.48pm AEST

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 11.06am AEST19:06 

Australian Associated Press is filing footage from Martin Place where police have been evacuating buildings and moving people away from the siege.






Updated at 11.15am AEST

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 11.04am AEST19:04 

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 at 12.24pm AEST

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 11.00am AEST19:00 

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.


— Michael Safi (@safimichael)
December 15, 2014
@bkjabour pic.twitter.com/X3pOzGCymb




Updated at 12.27pm AEST

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 10.56am AEST18:56 

Buses to the Sydney CBD are being diverted and the airspace over Sydney has been shut down.


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 10.55am AEST18:55 

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.


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 10.52am AEST18:52 

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.


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 10.46am AEST18:46 

Channel Seven have had to cut their live feed for police operational reasons.


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 10.43am AEST18:43 

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.


— Shelly Horton (@ShellyHorton1)
December 14, 2014
Terrifying siege in Martin Place. Those poor hostages. My @themorningshowon7 @sunriseon7 friends have been evacuated pic.twitter.com/cKGpPKoMHd





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 10.34am AEST18:34 

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.


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 10.31am AEST18:31 

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.


— OttomanScribe (@ottomanscribe)
December 14, 2014
The shadah flag is a generic Muslim symbol with wide usage. Its use here doesn't mean that tIS is not involved. But does not mean they are.





— OttomanScribe (@ottomanscribe)
December 14, 2014
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 at 11.31am AEST

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 10.27am AEST18:27 

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 at 10.42am AEST

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 10.22am AEST18:22 

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.


— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ)
December 14, 2014
BREAKING: Live coverage of hostage situation unfolding in Sydney's Martin Place http://t.co/TTG8ye71Zg pic.twitter.com/iTwradHTb3




Updated at 10.25am AEST

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 10.22am AEST18:22 

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 at 10.42am AEST

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Topics



Sydney




New South Wales




Australian police and policing




Australian federal police




Crime - Australia



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Sydney siege








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Sydney siege floral tributes to be removed before wet weather hits city

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Published: 22 Dec 2014




Sydney siege floral tributes to be removed before wet weather hits city















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Published: 23 Dec 2014




Sydney siege: Australian PM Tony Abbott warns of rise in 'terrorist chatter' - video












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Published: 22 Dec 2014




Sydney siege victims Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson mourned at memorial services












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Published: 22 Dec 2014




Sydney siege floral tributes to be removed before wet weather hits city












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On guns, David Leyonhjelm is neither a champion nor a villain. He's a libertarian

Eleanor Robertson




Published: 18 Dec 2014







On guns, David Leyonhjelm is neither a champion nor a villain. He's a libertarian
















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