Incredibly Dramatic Photos Of The Hostage Crisis In Sydney

The Australian police forced their way into the Lindt Cafe in Sydney a few minutes ago and put an end to a 17-hour siege in which hostages were held and forced to post Islamic messages in the cafe window and on social media.

The gunman, Man Haron Monis, an Iranian-born self-styled cleric currently on bail over the murder of his former wife, was killed in the raid. One of the hostages died too. The police stormed the building at about 2.30am local time (3.30pm GMT).

Here is what happened in pictures:

The gunman took control of the Lindt Cafe at about 9.30am local time (10.30pm GMT).

REUTERS/David Gray

Police rapidly intervened and evacuated the area.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Every civilian in the area was asked to leave.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Heavily armed officers from the special forces were on the spot, including snipers and anti-bomb military personnel.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Two female staff from the Lindt Cafe were among the first hostages who were able to flee.

REUTERS/David Gray

They were rescued by the police.

REUTERS/David Gray

Meanwhile the police had made contact with the gunman, and started to negotiate.

REUTERS/David Gray

The gunman was identified as Man Haron Monis, a Iranian who fled to Australia in 1996 and had a long criminal record.

SheikhHaron.com

At about 2am local time (3pm GMT), a group of seven hostages escaped.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

This triggered the entrance of the police, who stormed the cafe.

9 News Screenshot

 

The remaining hostages were rescued during the action.

REUTERS/David Gray

Several were injured.

Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The police brought in a bomb dispenser robot, as the gunman had claimed that explosive devices were put in place.

REUTERS/David Gray

It was later confirmed that two people, one of them the gunman, were killed in the action.

Peter Parks/Getty Images