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Five hostages escape standoff in Sydney but siege continues Five hostages escape standoff in Sydney, but siege continues
(35 minutes later)
An all-day siege continued Monday evening in Sydney, where employees and customers were taken hostage during morning rush hour at a cafe in the city’s main financial and shopping district. Five hostages have since emerged, running from the building and hiding behind heavily armed officers. An all-day siege continued Monday evening in Sydney, where employees and customers were taken hostage during morning rush hour at a cafe in the city’s main financial and shopping district. Five hostages have since emerged, running from the building and hiding behind armed officers.
Witnesses said they saw an armed man walk into a Lindt chocolate shop and cafe Monday morning in Martin Place, a plaza in the heart of the city. Soon, local TV stations showed people through a window with their hands raised. Two held up a black sign with Arabic writing that read, “There is no God but Allah” and “Mohammed is the messenger of God,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Witnesses said they saw a man with a gun walk into a Lindt Chocolat Cafe on Monday morning in Martin Place, a plaza in the heart of the city. Soon, local TV stations filmed people through a window with their hands raised. Two held up a black sign with Arabic writing that read, “There is no God but Allah” and “Mohammed is the messenger of God,” according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters “an armed person” was “claiming political motivation.”Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters “an armed person” was “claiming political motivation.”
“The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he said earlier in the day. “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.” “The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” he 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.”
Early Monday evening, hostages began to emerge. Local TV news stations first showed two men run out the front. A third appeared to exit a side door. A short time later, two women fled from the store. Police would not say whether the hostages were released or escaped. In the sixth hour, hostages began to emerge. Local TV news stations showed two men come out a front door. A third appeared to exit a side door. A short time later, two women wearing Lindt aprons ran from the store. Authorities would not say whether the hostages were released or escaped, only that were being evaluated by health officials and would then speak to police. It’s unknown how many hostages are still inside the shop.
Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn told reporters during a news conference she could not confirm how many people were still inside the cafe. She said the hostages were being evaluated by health officials and would then speak to police. One was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and listed in “satisfactory condition,” according to local news reports. One hostage taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital and listed in satisfactory condition.
Authorities have identified the gunman but have not released his or her name. They are treating the situation as a counter-terror operation. Burn said police have been in contact with the gunman throughout the day “in various forms,” and that police were treating it as a “negotiation.” “I won’t clarify any operation tactics at the moment,” New South Wales state police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said during an evening news conference. “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.”
“There is speculation about what he might want, but we have to deal with him at the level of police negotiation,” she said during the conference. Authorities would not confirm how many hostages remained, who the hostages were or why the gunman was holding them. Monday night, the lights in the cafe went out, and police declined to discuss that as well.
The incident began Monday morning as people were arriving for work in Martin Place, police spokesperson Senior Constable Lauren Maher told The Washington Post. Surrounding streets and train station were shut down. The Sydney Opera House, State Library and the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney were evacuated. Consulate staff members continued to work from a secure location, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. “I would like to give you as much as I can but right now that is as much as I can,” New South Wales state police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told reporters. “First and foremost, we have to make sure we do nothing that could in any way jeopardize those still in the building.
“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.”
Throughout the day, police said they had been negotiating with the gunman “in various forms.”
“There is speculation about what he might want, but we have to deal with him at the level of police negotiation,” Burn told reporters.
During Burn’s news conference, reporters said hostages were posting alleged demands from the gunman on social media. Burn said authorities are monitoring Facebook and Twitter as part of a “tactical response” but did not elaborate. Police have asked that alleged demands not be made public. Since then, the Sydney Morning Herald wrote on its live feed, “This blog is retracting reports of multiple demands that had come from a number of media outlets.”
The incident began Monday morning as people were arriving for work in Martin Place, New South Wales state police spokesperson Senior Constable Lauren Maher told The Washington Post. Surrounding streets and a train station were shut down. The Sydney Opera House, State Library and the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney were evacuated. Consulate staff members continued to work from a secure location, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
Late Monday afternoon, the Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel evening performances.Late Monday afternoon, the Sydney Opera House announced it would cancel evening performances.
When asked whether the hostages were released or escaped, Burn said: “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.”
During Burn’s third news conference Monday, reporters said people inside the cafe were posting alleged demands from the gunman on social media. Burn said authorities are monitoring Facebook and Twitter as part of a “tactical response” but did not elaborate. Police have asked that such demands not be made public. Since then, the Sydney Morning Herald said on its live feed, “This blog is retracting reports of multiple demands that had come from a number of media outlets.”
After the incident, world leaders were briefed on the situation. President Barack Obama spoke with his counter-terrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco.After the incident, world leaders were briefed on the situation. President Barack Obama spoke with his counter-terrorism adviser, Lisa Monaco.
British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter, “It’s deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.”British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter, “It’s deeply concerning and my thoughts are with all those caught up in it.”
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called it “disturbing.” New Zealand prime minister John Key and Peter O’Neill, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, joined the conversation as well.Indian prime minister Narendra Modi called it “disturbing.” New Zealand prime minister John Key and Peter O’Neill, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, joined the conversation as well.
Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada, whose parliament was attacked in October by an alleged jihadist sympathizer, extended his support.Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada, whose parliament was attacked in October by an alleged jihadist sympathizer, extended his support.
“Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends #MartinPlace #SydneySiege,” Stephen Harper posted on Twitter.“Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends #MartinPlace #SydneySiege,” Stephen Harper posted on Twitter.
Police commissioner Andrew Scipione said earlier on Monday evening that there was no confirmation the incident is related to terrorism. However, Scipione said there was no confirmation the incident is related to terrorism.
“We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to do to ensure that,” he said. “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. This I am sure they will get through this and this will be an outcome that will be positive.”“We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to do to ensure that,” he said. “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. This I am sure they will get through this and this will be an outcome that will be positive.”
Although Martin Place has been dubbed an “exclusion zone,” Abbott and Burn encouraged people to go about their business in other areas. Although Martin Place has been dubbed an “exclusion zone,” officials encouraged people to go about their business in other areas.
“This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia 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,” Abbott said.“This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia 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,” Abbott said.
This story has been updated multiple times.This story has been updated multiple times.