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Australia commandos end Sydney cafe siege | Australia commandos end Sydney cafe siege |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two people have died, along with an Islamist gunman, after commandos stormed a cafe held under siege for 16 hours in Sydney, police say. | |
The gunman, identified as an Iranian refugee, had taken dozens of hostages. | The gunman, identified as an Iranian refugee, had taken dozens of hostages. |
Paramedics were seen carrying away several injured people. | Paramedics were seen carrying away several injured people. |
The centre of the city was put in lockdown when the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday, forcing some of them to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window of the Lindt cafe. | The centre of the city was put in lockdown when the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday, forcing some of them to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window of the Lindt cafe. |
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". |
Dramatic scenes | Dramatic scenes |
The Australian police said the victims were a 34-year-old man and a woman, aged 38. | |
Another man, who was 50, also died. He is believed to be the gunman. | |
We do not know yet what triggered the assault, the BBC's Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. | We do not know yet what triggered the assault, the BBC's Phil Mercer reports from Sydney. |
However, reports in the local media suggest the commandos from the Royal Australian Regiment entered the building after the gunman started firing shots. | However, reports in the local media suggest the commandos from the Royal Australian Regiment entered the building after the gunman started firing shots. |
Shortly after 02:00 local time Tuesday (15:00 GMT Monday), several hostages fled from the building. | Shortly after 02:00 local time Tuesday (15:00 GMT Monday), several hostages fled from the building. |
Minutes later, the 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. | Minutes later, the 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. Medics were seen treating a person lying on the ground. | Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services. Medics were seen treating a person lying on the ground. |
The dramatic scenes of the rescue operation were broadcast live on television. | The dramatic scenes of the rescue operation were broadcast live on television. |
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. |
Sixteen-hour siege | 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 | 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 | 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" | 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 | 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 | 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 | 02:20 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 | 02:48: Police officially confirm end of siege. Reports suggest gunman and one other person dead, several people injured |
'Isolated figure' | 'Isolated figure' |
As many as 40 customers and staff were taken hostage. Five managed to escape through a fire exit on Monday afternoon. | As many as 40 customers and staff were taken hostage. Five managed to escape through a fire exit on Monday afternoon. |
Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis 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. |
At the nearby Sydney Opera House, evening performances were cancelled as shops and offices in the area shut early due to the security situation. | At the nearby Sydney Opera House, evening performances were cancelled as shops and offices in the area shut early due to the security situation. |
"It's sad to think this is my home and that it could happen anywhere," onlooker Rebecca Courtney told AFP news agency. | "It's sad to think this is my home and that it could happen anywhere," onlooker Rebecca Courtney told AFP news agency. |
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. |
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