[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

I feel ill, it's so horrible. I totally agree with you, these terrorists are savages, there's no reasoning with them. I really hopes this ends well, but I fear that won't happen.

it makes me feel sick too

its a chocolate cafe

whats the bet that there are children there?

i cant stop shaking.

[T*]

We have some images from Martin Place where a cafe is under siege. A flag bearing Arabic writing, believed to be the Shahadah, has been hung in the window.

TV Pics showsLindt Chocolate Cafe siege Sydney Australiabelieved IS siege holding hostages in a coffee chocolate cafe with armed police in attendancePic supplied by Pixel 8000 Ltd Photograph: pixel8000/C9 supplied by pixel 8000 ltd

TV Pics showsLindt Chocolate Cafe siege Sydney Australiabelieved IS siege holding hostages in a coffee chocolate cafe with armed police in attendancePic supplied by Pixel 8000 Ltd Photograph: pixel8000/C9 supplied by pixel 8000 ltd

[T*]

Originally Posted by Urwreatha

it makes me feel sick too

its a chocolate cafe

whats the bet that there are children there?

i cant stop shaking.

It's school holidays too

[T*]

There was just a woman describing how they are being evacuating- They have left everything behind (eg cars) and are taking them to a point where they can be away from the area

[T*]

live stream link again

Youtube video

[T*]

Prime Minister Tony Abbott issues statement

Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, has issued a statement about the siege. The National Security Committee of Cabinet has convened for briefings.

New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.

I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance.

The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation.

This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner.

We will provide regular updates as further information becomes available.

.

[andybigbro]

This is really bad!

Why can some people be so evil!!!
I hope they all get out safe!

[T*]

Nathan Grivas works in the Lindt Cafe and arrived for work just after the siege started. He told my colleague Oliver Milman he saw one of his colleagues pressed up against the window.

“It was already locked [when he arrived]. I didn’t get a good look at them, as soon as I saw the gun all I wanted to do was get out,” he said.

He said he thought one of the hostages looked at him.

“Lucky i didn’t start at 9 today. Hopefully they’ll be okay.”

.

[T*]

New South Wales premier, Mike Baird, has issued a statement:

All my thoughts and prayers are with those members of the public affected by the situation in Martin Place and the NSW Police who are trained to deal with these events.

I have spoken to Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and have full confidence the NSW Police are working effectively to resolve the situation.

I will provide further information as appropriate.

.

[T*]

Lindt Australia CEO says that there is about 40-50 people including customers and workers- and there is more businesses on upper levels

[T*]

My colleague, Calla Wallaquist, spoke to a woman evacuated from Channel 7 studios as the siege started:

Mieke Buchan told Guardian Australia she was preparing to go on Channel 7’s Morning Show for a guest segment this morning when the broadcaster’s live feed started showing footage of the siege.

“I looked up and the live feed was coming in of hostages pushed up against the window, looking terrified,” she said.
“The first direction (from police) was that we all had to keep clear of the windows, and them we were evacuated and told to move back 100 metres, then some very concerned police made us move back 100 more.
“I have been to some fairly scary counties, but there’s something about it being (in Sydney)...
“Look at me, I’m still shaking.”

.

[T*]

first pic of another person inside- may be a gunman and has a bandana with arabic text on it

[Drew.]

Seeing the peoples faces who are responsible is always the strangest/scariest parts of things like this

[T*]

New South Wales police have issued a statement saying they are trying to make contact with the people inside the cafe:

There is a police operation underway at Martin Place. 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.

Police are dealing with an armed incident and specialist officers are attempting to make contact those inside a café.

Some nearby offices have been evacuated as a precaution. Anyone else in the area encompassing Hunter, George, Elizabeth and Macquarie streets bordering Martin Place is directed to remain indoors and away from open windows. Anyone in the vicinity but outside that area is free to leave their buildings.

Police urge members of the public to remain calm and note that an appropriate police presence is in place.

Police urge the media to be responsible in their reporting. Speculation can cause unnecessary alarm.

.

[T*]

I am seeing a lot of people tweeting/asking about the supposed police raids taking place in Lakemba at the same time as the siege. Ray Hadley, a conservative presenter with 2GB, said raids of homes in Lakemba, which has a large Muslim population, were taking place now.

Sources have told my colleague, Michael Safi, there are no raids underway in that suburb. About 20 police are touring the Lakemba mosque as part of a police induction day, which may have been the source of those reports.

.

[T*]

things are apparently calming down in terms of evacuating people

[T*]

they are currently trying to make contact

[T*]

Prime minister, Tony Abbott, will address reporters in Canberra at 12.30pm.

.

[letmein]

Originally Posted by Mistletom

It's not Lindt's fault though.

Unless they hired the bastard.

[Jords]

bloody scary

[T*]

Originally Posted by letmein

Unless they hired the bastard.

Not funny?

[Scarlett.]

This is pretty worrying, I hope they manage to defuse the situation.

[Northern Monkey]

Lets hope those snipers take them out quickly and efficiently.Thank god we have the SAS if anything like this goes down here,They don't mess about with stuff like this.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by EyeballPaul

Lets hope those snipers take them out quickly and efficiently.Thank god we have the SAS if anything like this goes down here,They don't mess about with stuff like this.

Wouldn't be safe to do that yet, especially with the Opera House being evacuated, they could be working with others.

Reuters reports that the US has evacuated its consulate in Sydney, which is located close to the scene of the siege. The consulate has also urged US citizens to "maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security".

BBC News live updates

[letmein]

Originally Posted by Mistletom

Not funny?

It wasn't meant to be.