Early unconfirmed reports have come through of two dead and three seriously injured after police brought an end to the Sydney cafe siege.
It is understood the two dead are the gunman and one of the hostages.
Earlier several hostages had escaped the cafe and were taken to safety by police.
St Vincent’s hospital spokesman David Faktor said a male hostage was in satisfactory condition in the hospital’s emergency department.
He was the only one of the freed hostages to be taken to a hospital. Mr Scipione said he was being treated for a pre-existing condition.
Hundreds of police blanketed the city as streets were closed and offices evacuated. The public was told to stay away from Martin Place, site of the state premier’s office, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the headquarters of two of the nation’s largest banks. The state parliament house is a few blocks away, and the landmark Sydney Opera House also is nearby.
“This is a very disturbing incident,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said. “It is profoundly shocking that innocent people should be held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation.”
Lindt Australia posted a message on its Facebook page thanking the public for its support.
“We are deeply concerned over this serious incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the staff and customers involved and all their friends and families,” the company wrote.