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| Sydney siege: Hostages held in Lindt cafe | Sydney siege: Hostages held in Lindt cafe |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A gunman is holding staff and customers hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia. | |
| The Lindt cafe in the city centre is surrounded by armed police. Officers have made contact with the gunman. | |
| Five people have been seen running from the building. It is not clear how many remain inside. A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. | |
| Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". | |
| Speaking in Canberra, Mr Abbott also said: "Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society - nothing should ever change that and that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual." | |
| Senior police officers say they are on a footing "consistent with a terrorist event". | |
| The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a bag and gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe. | The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a bag and gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe. |
| Lindt said about 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time. Nearby offices were evacuated and police asked people to remain indoors and away from open windows. | Lindt said about 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time. Nearby offices were evacuated and police asked people to remain indoors and away from open windows. |
| The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says an enormous police operation is in place, on a scale few Sydney residents will have seen. | The BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney says an enormous police operation is in place, on a scale few Sydney residents will have seen. |
| About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building housing the cafe. Two more people followed about an hour later. It is not clear whether they escaped or were released. | About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building housing the cafe. Two more people followed about an hour later. It is not clear whether they escaped or were released. |
| "We will work with these people to figure out more information. We do not have information to suggest that anyone is harmed at this stage," said New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn after the first three came out. | "We will work with these people to figure out more information. We do not have information to suggest that anyone is harmed at this stage," said New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn after the first three came out. |
| Police negotiators were now in contact with the gunman, she added. The suspect also contacted local media and reportedly issued demands. | |
| Eyewitness | Eyewitness |
| Siouxsie Ford, a partner at a law firm, is inside her office near Martin Place, which has been locked down by police. | Siouxsie Ford, a partner at a law firm, is inside her office near Martin Place, which has been locked down by police. |
| She told the BBC: "There's a large media presence around the security perimeter, an ambulance, a fire truck and police cars. | She told the BBC: "There's a large media presence around the security perimeter, an ambulance, a fire truck and police cars. |
| "We are very concerned about what's going on inside the cafe. People in my office are watching out of the windows, or watching what's happening on TV. | "We are very concerned about what's going on inside the cafe. People in my office are watching out of the windows, or watching what's happening on TV. |
| "The building management has been broadcasting alerts. We were told the lifts and doors were locked. We haven't been told when exactly we can leave, but if there is a window of opportunity we can leave immediately and so we are on standby." | "The building management has been broadcasting alerts. We were told the lifts and doors were locked. We haven't been told when exactly we can leave, but if there is a window of opportunity we can leave immediately and so we are on standby." |
| Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC | Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC |
| In a statement on Facebook, Lindt said it was "deeply concerned over this serious incident". | In a statement on Facebook, Lindt said it was "deeply concerned over this serious incident". |
| An armed man wearing a backpack and a bandana could be seeing walking around inside the cafe. | An armed man wearing a backpack and a bandana could be seeing walking around inside the cafe. |
| Television footage showed at least three people, thought to be employees of the cafe and who were visibly distressed, holding a black sign with the Islamic creed written on it up to the window. | Television footage showed at least three people, thought to be employees of the cafe and who were visibly distressed, holding a black sign with the Islamic creed written on it up to the window. |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the flag was similar to but not the same as that used by the Islamic State militant group in the Middle East. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said the flag was similar to but not the same as that used by the Islamic State militant group in the Middle East. |
| Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of two of the nation's largest banks. The state parliament house is also only a few streets away. | Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of two of the nation's largest banks. The state parliament house is also only a few streets away. |
| Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq - raised its terror threat level in September. | |
| Australia's terror threat timeline | Australia's terror threat timeline |
| Timeline: Australia's terror threat | Timeline: Australia's terror threat |
| What is Islamic State? | What is Islamic State? |
| Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. | If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. |
| Have your say | Have your say |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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