Siege In Sydney
The lead story everywhere is the hostage situation at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia. An unknown number of staff and customers have been taken hostage by a gunman. At one point a black flag with Arabic letters was held against the front window of the cafe by hostages.
The political leaders offer some advice:
“[New South Wales] Premier Mike Baird said the police and public were being “tested”, but people should go about their business as normal.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said “… I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual.”
Well, the problem is that this is in the middle of Sydney’s Central Business District and police have closed down several blocks surrounding the cafe, which means businesses in that area are closed and evacuated. Transportation routes that go through the area have been halted. It is difficult to go about your business as usual or normal if it involves anything in the cordoned off area. They have even closed and evacuated the Sydney Opera House that is a kilometer away.
The police have not been able to establish communications with the gunman in the cafe.
Update: This is the ABC live blog on the aftermath of the siege that ended in the death of two hostages and the gunman.
December 14, 2014 12 Comments
