In pictures: Commandos end Sydney hostage siege
- Published
Australian commandos have stormed a cafe in central Sydney, ending a siege in which a gunman held dozens of people hostage for more than 16 hours.
Earlier, small groups of hostages were seen running out of the Lindt cafe after shots were fired. It's unclear whether the shooting was from inside or outside.
Paramedics carrying stretchers also raced towards the cafe moments after a volley of loud bangs and flashes.
New South Wales police later said two hostages died, along with the gunman. Four people were injured, including a policeman hit by shotgun pellets.
The gunman has been named as Iranian self-styled cleric Man Haron Monis, who received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail on a number of charges.
Earlier in the day five people were seen running from the cafe in Martin Place.
Armed police surrounded Martin Place after it emerged hostages were being held in the building at the start of Sydney's working day on Monday.
Hands were seen pressed against the window of the cafe. Police made contact with the gunman who demanded a flag bearing the Islamic State seal.
Hundreds of officers were called to the scene as police attempted to contact the people inside the cafe.
