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Man reportedly armed with explosives believed to have taken one hostage in Australia Bunbury 'hostage situation': Captor and hostage taken to hospital after police fire non-lethal bullets
(about 9 hours later)
A man claiming to be armed with explosives is understood to have taken at least one hostage in an Australian city's park. A man claiming to be armed with explosives staged an 11-hour-long seige in an Australian city park, reportedly taking one person hostage.
Police have cordoned off an area of a park on the corner of Koombana Drive and Blair Street in Bunbury, Western Australia, after the unidentified man took one person hostage. Police cordoned off an area of a park on the corner of Koombana Drive and Blair Street in Bunbury, Western Australia, after the unidentified man took one person hostage.
Local authorities have confirmed to ABC News there is a hostage situation unfolding, however, they have declined to release any more information. It is believed that snipers have arrived on the scene and have circled the two individuals. Following an 11 hour operation, the man at the centre of the siege was shot by police with non-lethal bullets, and has been taken to hospital. The hostage walked away from the scene and into an awaiting ambulance, GWN7 News reported.
The latest reports indicate that journalists and nearby pedastrians are all being moved back from the incident, with a police spokesperson telling reporters that the exclusion zone could be increased again. As the hostage situation unfolded, snipers arrived on the scene and circled the two individuals.
Pictures emerging from the scene showed armed police officers, wearing bullet proof vests, lying on the ground.
Emergency services convened on what is the main thoroughfare into town with dog squad officers also reportedly in attendance.
HOSTAGE UPDATE Tactical Response Unit arrived at #bunbury #hostage. Everyone cleared from area pic.twitter.com/fKhtK1eXKEHOSTAGE UPDATE Tactical Response Unit arrived at #bunbury #hostage. Everyone cleared from area pic.twitter.com/fKhtK1eXKE
Images on Twitter appear to show a middle-age man sitting cross-legged next to a younger individual. Near the pair is a large sign, which Australia’s ABC News has reported as containing the demands or message from the hostage-taker. One of the men appears to be on the phone. Images on Twitter appear showed a middle-age man sitting cross-legged next to a younger individual. Near the pair was a large sign, which Australia’s ABC News has reported as containing the demands or message from the hostage-taker. One of the men appears to be on the phone.
Hostage sitting with a man. There is also a sign. Things are very still here atm.Hostage sitting with a man. There is also a sign. Things are very still here atm.
Local media are reporting that the sign contains a demand to police for an individual's release, however, this has not been confirmed by authorities. Local media reported that the sign contains a demand to police for an individual's release, however, this has not been confirmed by authorities.
I've heard that it's one person holding another hostage but they both seem quite relaxed. One bloke on his phone. #BunburyI've heard that it's one person holding another hostage but they both seem quite relaxed. One bloke on his phone. #Bunbury
Officers from Australia's Tactical Response Group have reportedly arrived at incident on the outskirts of what is Western Australia's third largest city. Officers from Australia's Tactical Response Group arrived at incident on the outskirts of what is Western Australia's third largest city.
Looks like the tactical response group is moving in media has been moved across the road #Bunbury #hostage pic.twitter.com/FSwEQMFaUzLooks like the tactical response group is moving in media has been moved across the road #Bunbury #hostage pic.twitter.com/FSwEQMFaUz
Pictures emerging from the scene appear to show armed police officers, wearing bullet proof vests, lying on the ground. As the siege ended, the man's alleged demands remained unclear.
Emergency services have convened on what is the main thoroughfare into town with dog squad officers also reportedly in attendance.
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