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-30485355
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Australia commandos end Sydney cafe siege | Australia commandos end Sydney cafe siege |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Australian commandos have stormed a cafe in Sydney, ending a 16-hour siege by a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee who took dozens of hostages. | Australian commandos have stormed a cafe in Sydney, ending a 16-hour siege by a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee who took dozens of hostages. |
| Paramedics carrying stretchers raced towards the cafe moments after the commandos entered the building. Several people were injured. | |
| Unconfirmed local reports said two people, including the gunman, died. | |
| The centre of the city has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning. | The centre of the city has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning. |
| Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window. | Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window. |
| The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. | The cafe is 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". |
| Army commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and body armour could be seen piling into the cafe, tossing stun grenades ahead of them, and apparently opening fire. | Army commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and body armour could be seen piling into the cafe, tossing stun grenades ahead of them, and apparently opening fire. |
| Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services. | Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services. |
| New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 local time (15:44 GMT) in a tweet, promising details later. | New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 local time (15:44 GMT) in a tweet, promising details later. |
| The commandos who stormed the building were from the Royal Australian Regiment, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reports. | The commandos who stormed the building were from the Royal Australian Regiment, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reports. |
| Sixteen-hour siege | |
| 09:45 Monday local time (22:45 GMT Sunday): Police are called out to the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place, a busy plaza in the heart of the city. Suggestions an armed robbery is under way are soon discounted | |
| 10:09: Australian TV stations broadcast footage of hostages holding a black Islamic banner up to the window. The gunman can also be seen, wearing a bandana | |
| 12:30: As police flood the area, Prime Minister Tony Abbott goes on national TV to promise a thorough police response to the "deeply concerning incident" | |
| 16:00-17:00: Three men, then two women, sprint to safety from the cafe's fire exit | |
| 18:30: Police confirm negotiations are under way with the gunman | |
| 02:20 Tuesday (15:20 GMT Monday): Several more hostages escape and commandos storm the cafe | |
| 02:48: Police officially confirm end of siege. Reports suggest gunman and one other person dead, several people injured | |
| 'Isolated figure' | 'Isolated figure' |
| Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis, 49, received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail facing a number of charges. | Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis, 49, received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail facing a number of charges. |
| On a website, now suspended, he describes himself as a Shia Muslim who converted to Sunni Islam. | On a website, now suspended, he describes himself as a Shia Muslim who converted to Sunni Islam. |
| The self-styled cleric was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure. | The self-styled cleric was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure. |
| One of his demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group which recently seized territory in Syria and Iraq, to be delivered to the cafe. | One of his demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group which recently seized territory in Syria and Iraq, to be delivered to the cafe. |
| 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, the Australian parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts. | In October, the Australian parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts. |
| 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. |