A number of hostages have been taken in a siege underway in Sydney's CBD

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A number of hostages have been taken in a siege underway in Sydney's CBD.

Sydney siege: Hostages taken in Martin Place Lindt cafe; black flag hung in window

ABCDecember 15, 2014, 11:21 am





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Police draw their guns outside the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney s Martin Place.
Police draw their guns outside the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.


A number of people are being held hostage in a siege at a cafe in the heart of Sydney's CBD.



At least three people have been seen with their hands raised and pressed against the windows of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe, in Martin Place.



A black flag with Arabic text has also been seen hanging in the shop window.



The flag, which has been waved behind the hostages, has white text that says: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."



Dozens of heavily-armed police officers wearing protective clothing and helmets have flooded the area with guns drawn.



Witnesses have reported hearing loud bangs that sounded like gun shots.



One block of Martin Place has been cordoned off between Elizabeth Street and Phillip Street.



Police have urged members of the public to avoid the area, and some transport services have been cancelled.



Workers from nearby buildings, which were placed in lockdown, have been told to evacuate to Hyde Park.



The Channel Seven building, opposite the cafe, is among those evacuated.



Seven producer Patrick Byrne said staff at the network watched the situation unfold.



"We raced to the window and saw the shocking and chilling sight of people putting their hands up against the panes of glass at the cafe," he said.



"This was just extraordinary.



"Then, as we were looking wondering what was going on, it seemed to be like an armed hold-up, more police arrived at Martin Place.



"The area was cleared. People were kept back.



"It was then that gasps went through the newsroom as an ISIS flag was put up against one of the window panes."



Elleanor Gillard, who works in the same building as the cafe, said police had told them to stay inside and away from the doors.



"We've just been notifying everyone on the floors above - I'm on the ground - not to come down in the lift because the lifts open up right in the foyer between us and Lindt [Chocolat Cafe]," she said.



She said she saw a look of terror on the faces of two hostages who appeared to have been forced up against the glass.



"I'm just thinking about the guys in Lindt - the people we see everyday, go in and buy our coffee from them - and I'm sure they're terrified. It must be horrible for them."



ABC







http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/