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Sydney siege live: Watch the latest from the hostage crisis Sydney siege live: Gunshots and explosions heard as police storm Lindt cafe
(about 2 hours later)
While five people have escaped after a gunman took over a cafe in central Sydney, around 15 hostages are still being held as night time falls on the Australian capital. At least four people have been reported as injured after police stormed the Lindt Café in Sydney this evening.
Hundreds of police have surrounded the cafe in Martin Place since the siege began at 9.45am local time. The gunman entered the building, pulling a gun from a blue bag, and he reportedly told police that he had planted four bombs around the city. Gunshots and explosions were heard as cameras caught hostages fleeing in terror as armed officers entered the café to disarm the gunmen who had held the hostages in the Australian capital for nearly 16 hours.
As evening descended, one employee was seen turning the lights of the cafe off - plunging the shop into complete darkness. Earlier, dramatic footage showed five people - three men and two women - managing to flee the scene. Police could confirm that the siege was now over.
Readers can watch a live feed from outside the cafe below. Police say they are in contact with the gunman and stressed that it might take some time to solve the incident peacefully and that they did not want to divulge too much about what tactics they were using to ensure the remaining hostages were rescued. They said that the public must stay away from the Martin Place area. According to reports, 11 hostages had been successfully rescued by police during the raid.
Hundreds of police surrounded the cafe in Martin Place when the siege began at 9.45am local time. The gunman entered the building, pulling a gun from a blue bag, and he reportedly told police that he had planted four bombs around the city.
Earlier, dramatic footage showed five people - three men and two women - managing to flee the scene.
Readers can watch a live feed from outside the cafe below.
It is understood the five hostages who fled the cafe, some of whom were wearing brown aprons with the Lindt logo on them, escaped rather than being released by the gunman.It is understood the five hostages who fled the cafe, some of whom were wearing brown aprons with the Lindt logo on them, escaped rather than being released by the gunman.
As the siege unfolded, two people inside the cafe were seen holding up a flag with an Islamic declaration of faith that has often been used by extremists, fuelling speculation that it was the work of an Islamic extremist.As the siege unfolded, two people inside the cafe were seen holding up a flag with an Islamic declaration of faith that has often been used by extremists, fuelling speculation that it was the work of an Islamic extremist.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege was politically motivated.