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Lindt Cafe siege

Coordinates: 33°52′05″S 151°12′40″E / 33.86796°S 151.21113°E / -33.86796; 151.21113
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2014 Sydney hostage crisis
53 Martin Place (corner of Phillip St.) where the crisis is taking place (lower left of the image).
LocationMartin Place, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates33°52′05″S 151°12′40″E / 33.86796°S 151.21113°E / -33.86796; 151.21113
Date15 December 2014 (2014-12-15)
c. 9:45 a.m. – ongoing
Attack type
Hostage-taking
Perpetratorspossible islamist group
File:2014-hostage-crisis-openstreetmap.png
Map indicating location of situation

As of 15 December 2014, an ongoing hostage situation is occurring at 53 Martin Place (on the corner of Phillip St.), Sydney, Australia. A number of people are being held hostage in a local chocolate cafe by at least one gunman.[1][2][3] The motive for the siege and the identity of the perpetrator(s) are currently unknown.

Event

The crisis began at the Lindt Chocolat Café at around 9:45 a.m. (AEDT, UTC+11) Two groups of hostages were seen being lined up against the windows, putting their hands on the panes of glass and holding up the black flag of Islam (shahada), and holding a sign with the wording "Muhammad is the messenger of God"[4][5] while another group of hostages were placed behind the counter of the café. One of the hostages was reportedly being used as a human shield by one of the perpetrators.[6] It was initially estimated that there were 13 people inside; however, that figure has now been revised up to 50.[7] Prior to the siege, the automatic sliding doors of the cafe were disabled.[8][9]

According to Sydney 2GB radio announcer Ray Hadley, the gunman has demanded to speak to the Prime Minister live on radio, although these reports are unconfirmed.[10] There were also further alleged reports that the gunman stated that there were four "devices" located around Sydney.[7]

Lindt Chocolate on the left in Martin Place

Reactions

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott convened the National Security Committee of Cabinet to give briefings on the situation.[11][4] Abbott made a public statement reassuring Australians, stating, "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."[2] He later said, "The whole point of politically-motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves. Australia is a peaceful, open, and generous society. Nothing should ever change that and that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual."[7]

Due to the hostage situation, the release of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook was postponed, but was still released as planned.[12][13] Also, Qantas diverted its planes away from central Sydney, although otherwise, air traffic in Australia is stated to not be affected by the siege.[14] Trains were also not stopping at Martin Place railway station due to the hostage situation, passengers are permitted to use their tickets across Sydney buses and Ferries due to the operation. Transport NSW has advised people to stay away from the CBD.[15] Road closures have also occurred. All traffic that would ordinarily go over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Sydney is being diverted to the Western Distributor, and there is no south-bound access to the Cahill Expressway, York Street or Harbour Street. There is no north-bound access to the Cahill Expressway, and all traffic is being diverted to the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. North-bound traffic on the Western Distributor is being diverted over Sydney Harbour Bridge.[16]

U.S. President Barack Obama was also briefed on the siege,[17] along with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other Canadian government officials. A spokesman for the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird also said, "We urge all Canadians in Sydney to use extra precaution and limit their movements as authorities handle this situation. We have offered Australia any assistance Canada can provide."[18]

Sanier Dandan, the president of the Lebanese Muslim Association, informed ABC News that Australian Muslim leaders were meeting online for discussions on how the Muslim community could help with the crisis. He also added that it was not known if the perpetrator or perpetrators were linked to the Australian Muslim community, saying, "Regardless we have a hostage situation. Whether he is someone who belongs to the Australian Muslim community or not, we are still waiting for information to be provided by police and based on that if there's something the Muslim community can do or assist, we are there."[3]

Evacuations

The Sydney Opera House had been evacuated after a suspicious package was found.[19] The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney, located in Martin Place, was also evacuated.[20] Police advised people in the area bounded by Hunter, George, Elizabeth, and Macquarie Streets, bordering Martin Place, to remain indoors and away from windows.[21] The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corp and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group have closed their CBD branches for today.[22] People above the cafe have been evacuated by ladder.[23]The facilities of the Seven Network, situated across from the cafe, are under lockdown, stated media personality Kylie Gillies.

Arrests

At least one man was arrested near Martin Place on suspicion of carrying a handgun.[24] However, officials at the New South Wales Police Force stated that the arrest was not related to the hostage crisis.[4]

References

  1. ^ "BBC News - Sydney siege: Gunman takes hostages in Lindt cafe". BBC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Hostages Taken at Australian Chocolate Shop"
  3. ^ a b "Sydney hostage crisis: Live Report" Cite error: The named reference "Sydney hostage crisis: Live Report" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c "Lindt Chocolate Cafe Hostage Drama in Martin Place Sydney." Sydney Morning Herald. 15 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Seven in 'lockdown' due to hostage crisis"
  6. ^ Rolling coverage on Seven News (ATN), Seven West Media, 15 December 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Abbott speaks to nation: We won't let them scare us"
  8. ^ http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/15/siege-sydneys-martin-place-cafe
  9. ^ "Sydney Hostage Crisis: Dozens Held Inside Cafe, Islamic Flag Put Up on Window"
  10. ^ "Hostage crisis: First images of 'lead gunman.'" Sunshine Coast Daily
  11. ^ "Abbott reassures Australians over Sydney siege". ITV News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  12. ^ "MYEFO release postponed due to Sydney siege". ABC News. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  13. ^ Griffiths, Emma (15 December 2014). "MYEFO: Budget deficit forecast for 2014-15 increases $10 billion to $40.4 billion". ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  14. ^ "Qantas diverts planes after Sydney hostage crisis"
  15. ^ http://www.transportnsw.info/en/transport-status/alerts-detail.page?MessageNum=2011749&type=train
  16. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/sydney-siege-leads-to-cbd-transport-closures/5967700
  17. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/obama-briefed-on-sydney-hostage-situation/5967942
  18. ^ "Canada closely monitors apparent hostage taking situation in Australia"
  19. ^ "Sydney Siege: Up To 20 Hostages Held - Reports". Sky News. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  20. ^ "US Consulate in Sydney near hostage cafe crisis evacuated, security warning issued". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  21. ^ https://twitter.com/nswpolice/status/544303006460551168/photo/1
  22. ^ http://livenews.abc.net.au/Event/Live_blog_Siege_in_Sydneys_Martin_Place/137064928
  23. ^ http://livenews.abc.net.au/Event/Live_blog_Siege_in_Sydneys_Martin_Place/137067049
  24. ^ Man arrested near Martin Place
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