Suspected Islamist Holding Hostages At A Sydney Cafe #SydneySeige

Amazing shot by Saeed Khan of a hostage dashing to safety. #MartinPlaceSiege #sydneyseige pic.twitter.com/cVBltQQKV7

— Paul Carson (@karsoe) December 15, 2014

Vision of the three men who escaped the siege is just extraordinary, they look petrified #MartinPlaceSiege pic.twitter.com/iG4qIw4AeM

— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) December 15, 2014

A female hostage stands by the front entrance of the cafe as she turns the lights off in Sydney. #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/qNfCMv9yZt

— New Straits Times (@NST_Online) December 15, 2014

NBC News is reporting that a suspected Islamist is holding an un-named number of hostages at a cafe in Sydney, Australia.

Five hostages have escaped, first three men, “who ran out of the side exits toward armed police,” followed about an hour later by two women. NBC reports that police won’t confirm whether the hostages were freed by the gunman or escaped.

According to NBC:

Catherine Burn, deputy police commissioner in New South Wales state, wouldn’t discuss the gunman’s possible motive but said: “We are in contact.”

“There is speculation about what he might want but we have to deal him on the level of a police negotiation,” Burn told reporters. “We are monitoring all forms of communication — Facebook, Twitter — for any information that might assist. We’re monitoring what is happening on Facebook … that is forming part of our tactical response.”

The drama began shortly after 9:45 a.m. local time (5:45 p.m. ET Sunday). Lindt Australia Chief Executive Steve Loane told Sky Business there were “probably 30 customers” in the cafe and 10 workers. Police refused to confirm or speculate on the numbers involved.

The hostage situation has gone on for about 11 hours so far and authorities are saying it continue for indefinitely.

Thank you @nswpolice RT 702sydney: Hardworking @nswpolice #sydneysiege #MartinPlaceSiege Photo by @John__Donegan pic.twitter.com/FomKaNmDw8

— Moxle (@mdmoxle) December 15, 2014

'hundreds of officers are surrounding the cafe, it's incredibly tense,unfolding as we speak' #sydneysiege #r4today pic.twitter.com/u8Kw7B8D56

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 15, 2014

Hostages flee Sydney coffee shop:

FIRST LIVE FEED:

SECOND LIVE FEED:

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Suspected Islamist Holding Hostages At A Sydney Cafe #SydneySeige – LIVE FEED