This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-30481241
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sydney hostages: Police prepare for long siege | Sydney hostages: Police prepare for long siege |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Australian police say they will maintain central Sydney in lockdown "for as long as it takes", as a gunman holds people hostage inside a cafe. | Australian police say they will maintain central Sydney in lockdown "for as long as it takes", as a gunman holds people hostage inside a cafe. |
| The New South Wales police commissioner said his "number-one priority" was bringing the hostages out unharmed. | The New South Wales police commissioner said his "number-one priority" was bringing the hostages out unharmed. |
| Negotiations are continuing with the gunman into the night. Police say he is known to them. | Negotiations are continuing with the gunman into the night. Police say he is known to them. |
| A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear. | A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window. The number of those held in the Lindt cafe is not clear. |
| Five people were seen running from the building, located in Martin Place - a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. | |
| Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". | Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". |
| Late on Monday, New South Wales State Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "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. | Late on Monday, New South Wales State Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said: "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." | "That remains our number one priority, and nothing will change." |
| The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place early on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a gun walk into the Lindt chocolate shop and cafe. | The incident began as people were arriving for work in Martin Place early on Monday. Witnesses saw a man with a 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. | Lindt said about 10 employees and 30 customers were thought to be inside at the time. Nearby offices were evacuated. |
| 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. Two more people followed about an hour later. It is not clear whether they were released or escaped. | About six hours into the siege, three people were seen running from the building. Two more people followed about an hour later. It is not clear whether they were released or escaped. |
| New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: "Those people are now being assessed to make sure their health is okay and then police will talk to them." | New South Wales Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said: "Those people are now being assessed to make sure their health is okay and then police will talk to them." |
| The suspect has been seen inside the cafe wearing a backpack and a bandana. | The suspect has been seen inside the cafe wearing a backpack and a bandana. |
| News organisations say he has contacted them to issue demands, which police have urged media not to report. | News organisations say he has contacted them to issue demands, which police have urged media not to report. |
| Channel 7, a broadcaster with offices facing the cafe, said lights inside the premises were turned out as night fell. | Channel 7, a broadcaster with offices facing the cafe, said lights inside the premises were turned out as night fell. |
| At the scene: Wendy Frew, BBC News, Sydney | At the scene: Wendy Frew, BBC News, Sydney |
| The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one block away from the Lindt coffee shop. | The atmosphere in Martin Place itself was surreal. Office workers who had been evacuated from their buildings, construction workers from building sites and tourists packed the pedestrian plaza one block away from the Lindt coffee shop. |
| Rosemary D'Urso Healion had just come out of the Martin Place subway station and was walking to her office when she saw that it was blocked by police. Then she saw the police close down the subway station. | Rosemary D'Urso Healion had just come out of the Martin Place subway station and was walking to her office when she saw that it was blocked by police. Then she saw the police close down the subway station. |
| "I work in that building [where the siege is taking place] and I was just about to go in," she told the BBC, adding that she had been in contact with some of her colleagues who were in the building but not being held hostage. | "I work in that building [where the siege is taking place] and I was just about to go in," she told the BBC, adding that she had been in contact with some of her colleagues who were in the building but not being held hostage. |
| She remained at Martin Place anxiously watching a police operation that appeared to be aimed at getting some of her colleagues out via a ladder erected on a window ledge on the first floor. | She remained at Martin Place anxiously watching a police operation that appeared to be aimed at getting some of her colleagues out via a ladder erected on a window ledge on the first floor. |
| Uneasy crowds in Sydney | Uneasy crowds in Sydney |
| Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC | Eyewitnesses speak to the BBC |
| Shortly after the siege began TV footage showed people, thought to be employees and visibly distressed, holding up to the window a black flag bearing the declaration of the Islamic faith. | |
| The flag is similar to those used by jihadist groups, but different from the one used by Islamic State militants in the Middle East. | The flag is similar to those used by jihadist groups, but different from the one used by Islamic State militants in the Middle East. |
| Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks. | Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks. |
| In September Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid. | In September Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid. |
| One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place. | One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place. |
| In October, new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts, were approved by the Australian parliament. | In October, new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts, were approved by the Australian parliament. |
| The black flag | The black flag |
| A black flag bearing the white Arabic text of the "shahada", the basic statement of the Islamic faith, is used by jihadist groups worldwide | A black flag bearing the white Arabic text of the "shahada", the basic statement of the Islamic faith, is used by jihadist groups worldwide |
| Timeline: Australia's terror threat | Timeline: Australia's terror threat |
| 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. |
| Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |