This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/sydney-siege-dramatic-photographs-capture-onlookers-horror-as-hostage-situation-unfolds-9924834.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Sydney cafe siege: Extraordinary images show hostages run for their lives as crisis unfolds | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pictures of hostages fleeing for their lives and police swarming around a Sydney cafe at the centre of a hostage crisis have emerged. | |
Around 15 people have been taken hostage by at least one gunman in the Lindt cafe on Martin Street, in the city’s Central Business District. | |
In dramatic scenes, five people - two women and tree women - were shown escaping the siege, which began at about 9.45am local time. | |
Two people inside the cafe were earlier seen holding up a flag with an Islamic declaration of faith that has often been used by extremists, raising fears that a terrorist incident was playing out in the heart of Australia's biggest city. | |
Grainy stills taken from news footage appear to also show the armed assailant. Wearing a headband decorated with Arabic writing, he has claimed there are a further two bombs outside the shop as well as two explosive devices inside the building. | |
The hostage-taker has released a set of demands to police, who have asked media not to report on them. | |