Sydney hostage situation: what we know so far

At least one armed gunman has taken ‘fewer than 30’ people hostage in a Sydney café. Here is what we know so far.

• Five people have escaped the café in the past couple of hours, with one male hostage in hospital in a ‘satisfactory’ condition. Reports are that between eight and 50 people are being held, with the deputy NSW commissioner Catherine Burn saying it is fewer than 30.
• The police have confirmed they are treating this as a terrorist incident, saying they are ‘operating according to our counter terrorism protocols’ and they are working towards a peaceful resolution. They have had contact with the person who has taken the people hostage.
• A black flag has been been put up in the café but it is not clear which terror group it signifies membership of. Tony Abbott has said the motivation behind the scene is not yet clear.

We will bring further updates as they come.