Hundreds of armed police have sealed off the busy Martin Place in the city's central business district.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was unclear if the siege at a Sydney cafe, where hostages are being held, was politically motivated.
"We don't yet know if this is politically motivated, although there are some indications that it might be," Abbott told reporters in Canberra.
"This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australia people," Abbott said, without providing any information on the unfolding siege.
Australian police said they had not had direct contact with an armed offender holding an undisclosed number of people hostage at a cafe in central Sydney.
"We have moved to a footing that would be consistent with aterrorist event," New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione told reporters in Sydney.
Australia, which is backing the United States and its escalating action against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, is on high alert for attacks by radicalised Muslims or by home-grown fighters returning from fighting in the Middle East.
Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales state parliament, has been closed off by armed police.
Live television footage showed patrons inside a cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows. A black flag similar with Arabic writing on it was also visible.
Dozens of police including a SWAT team were setting up and a couple of hundred people were being held back by cordons.
Trains and buses were stopped and roads were blocked in the area, with train operators saying there had been a bomb threat at Martin Place.
NSW Police tweeted: "A police operation is underway in Martin Place, Sydney's CBD. People are advised to avoid the area.".......................http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1214/666831-people-being-held-hostage-in-a-sydney-cafe/15/12/14
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Hostages held in Sydney cafe, forced to hold Islamic flag in window ...
ReplyDelete(Reuters) - An armed assailant was holding an unknown number of hostages inside a central Sydney cafe on Monday, police said, with local television showing some being forced to hold up a black flag with white Arabic writing in the window.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who has warned of militant plans to strike Australian targets, said there were indications the hostage situation at the Lindt Cafe was politically motivated.
"This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australian people," Abbott told reporters in Canberra, without providing any information on the unfolding siege......................http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/15/us-australia-security-idUSKBN0JS0WX20141215?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
15/12/14
NSW Police: 3 people escaped from the cafe ...
ReplyDeletePolice officer of New South Wales has confirmed that three people have fled from the café at Matin Place where at least 12 people were being held by a gunman in Sydney's central business district on Monday.
Hostages have been seen holding up a flag bearing Arabic writing against the window of the shop.
Australian New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione ensures to bring the incident to a peaceful resolution while the contact with hostages is still being sought.
Heavily armed NSW Police and emergency services have responded and a number of streets around the area have been closed. The Martin Place train station is also shut.
According to Commissioner Scipione, the police are very contained and have tight controls and restrictions around the area................http://www.china.org.cn/world/2014-12/15/content_34319186.htm
15/12/14
Sydney cafe siege: What’s happened so far ...
ReplyDelete9.45am (6.45am Singapore time): A hostage situation is unfolding at Martin Place, Sydney, inside Lindt Chocolate Café. The cafe is located in the heart of the city’s financial and shopping district.
Hostages were made to hold up a black flag with Arabic writing against the window of the café. It is not yet known if there is more than one gunman.
12.30pm (9.30am SG time): Lindt Australia says 10 staff, ‘probably 30 customers’ in siege café. There could be up to 40 people being held hostage – although there has not been official confirmation
12.40pm (9.40am SG time): US Consulate near hostage cafe evacuated, security warning issued. Buildings evacuated now include the Sydney Opera House, State Library and criminal courts.
12.45pm (9.45am SG time): Australia’s major banks close Sydney CBD branches.
12:50pm (9.50am SG time): PM Tony Abbot held a brief press conference where he said: “We don’t yet know the motivation of the perpetrator. We don’t know if this is politically motivated, though there is some indication it could be.”
“I can think of nothing more distressing and terrifying. Our hearts go out to these people.”
He says the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (Myefo) will still be released today and the government needs to continue to go about its business.
1pm (10am SG time): Australia government postpones budget update amid security scare
1.10pm (10.10am SG time): President Barack Obama has been briefed about the situation.........................http://www.todayonline.com/world/australia/sydney-cafe-siege-whats-happened-so-far?singlepage=true
Two more hostages have run out of the cafe at the center of a siege in Sydney, Australia's largest city, according to a Reuters witness at the site....
ReplyDeleteThe two women were both wearing aprons indicating they were staff at the Lindt cafe where a gunman has been holding an unknown number of hostages for several hours. Three men had earlier run out of the cafe.
It is unclear whether the hostages had been released by the gunman or had escaped. Police, who are speaking with the three men to gather information about what is happening inside, declined to specify how many hostages remained in the cafe.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Two-more-hostages-run-out-of-Sydney-siege-cafe-384663
15/12/14
prise d'otages à Sydney, la police donne l'assaut ...
ReplyDeleteLa police australienne a donné l'assaut contre l’homme armé retranché avec plusieurs otages dans un café du centre de Sydney, en Australie. Des tirs nourris ont été entendus. Suivez l'évolution de la situation en direct sur notre live-blog.
• Selon les médias autralien, le suspect est Man Haron Monis, un réfugié iranien qui a déjà été condamné pour agression sexuelle et qui a envoyé des lettres d'injures aux familles de soldats tués à l'étranger.
• Un nombre inconnu d’otages sont retenus par un homme armé retranché dans le café Lindt, au cœur de Sydney, en Australie.
• Un drapeau islamique noir a été plaqué sur une des fenêtres du café par des otages. L’homme armé aurait demandé un drapeau de l’organisation de l’État islamique (EI), selon plusieurs médias australiens.
• La prise d’otages a commencé vers 9 h 45 heure locale et dure maintenant depuis plus de douze heures. La nuit est tombée sur Sydney.
• La police affirme être en négociation avec le preneur d’otage. Ce dernier n’aurait pas porté atteinte à l’intégrité physique des otages.
• Cinq otages se sont échappés du café. La police n’a pas confirmé s’il s’agissait d’une véritable fuite ou d’une libération ordonnée par l’homme armé...................http://www.france24.com/fr/20141215-direct-coeur-sydney-frappe-prise-otages-cafe-australie-islamisme-ei-crise/
15/12/14