MOSCOW, December 15 (Sputnik) — Four explosive devices have been "planted" across Sydney and about 40 hostages have been taken in a cafe near Australia's central bank, according to numerous reports.
Local 9News TV channel cited unconfirmed radio reports claiming that at least one of the hostage-takers said there are four devices planted across Sydney and demanded to speak with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
"I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual," Abbott said in a press briefing, extending thoughts and prayers to those "caught up" in the "disturbing incident." Australian police classified the siege as an "armed incident" in a statement, but did not confirm other reports.
Meanwhile, the CEO of the cafe under siege told News Corp Australia's news outlet there may be anywhere from 40 to 50 people being held hostage, including staff and customers. At around 10:00 a.m. local time (02:00 a.m. Moscow) on Monday, customers and staff were taken hostage by armed persons at Sydney's Lindt Cafe.
According to reports, several hostages were forced to hold up a black flag with white writing in the window. A terrorism expert later told local 7News TV channel that though it appeared to bear a testimony of faith in Allah and the prophet Mohammad, it did not belong to the Islamic State (IS). The IS flag bears two different inscriptions, one inside a white circle.
The national security committee of cabinet was reported to have convened for an emergency briefing. The media have also reported the evacuation of the Sydney Opera House after a suspicious object was found.
Australian authorities issued the country's first high-level terrorist threat in September. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that an Islamic State (IS) leader ordered his followers to carry out a number of "demonstration killings" in Australia. The terrorists were reportedly tasked with randomly choosing a victim, wrapping them in the extremist group's flag and beheading them.
