MOSCOW, December 15 (Sputnik) — Australian police say the hostage rescue operation has ended with three people dead.
Earlier several people had managed to escape the cafe.
A swarm of heavily armed police stormed the downtown cafe in an attempt to free the hostages.
Medics moved in and took away several injured people on stretchers, but it was not clear whether they included the gunman who had been named by a police source only minutes earlier as Man Haron Monis.
The NSW police confirmed via Twitter "the operation is over" but would not release any further details.
Sydney siege is over. More details to follow.
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
After the police moved in, one weeping woman was helped out by the officers and at least two other people were wheeled out on stretchers, Associated Press reports.
Police later officially confirmed the identity of the assailant as Man Haron Monis, a 49-year old Iranian refugee and self-styled Sheikh Haron, who is facing dozens of charges of sexual assault, Retures reported citing a police source.
Police identify Sydney assailant as Iranian refugee facing sexual assault charges. http://t.co/ux0b51MU8g pic.twitter.com/FDMWq9Efhp
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 15, 2014
Monis, also known as Manteghi Boroujerdi and Mohammad Hassan Manteghi, was found guilty of sending extremely offensive and threatening letters to relatives of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and victims of terrorism, according to media reports.
Australia's New South Wales Police Force have confirmed the death of three people including the gunman, who died in hospital. The other two casualties include a 34-year old man and a 38-year old woman, who were fatally wounded while held hostage in the cafe and pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital, police stated at a press conference
The two deceased hostages were barrister Katrina Dawson, 38, and Tori Johnson, 34, Lindt cafe manager, the Guardian reported.
Critical incident established following #MartinPlace death http://t.co/QSpY6AJoei
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 15, 2014
New South Wales Police later gave more details on Martin Place siege, reporting 3 people dead and 6 injured.
“A 75-year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the shoulder – stable condition.
A 52-year-old female who received a gunshot wound to the foot – stable condition.
A 43-year-old female with a gunshot wound to the leg – stable condition
A 39-year-old male who received a minor facial injury due to gunshot – treated at hospital and discharged.
A 35-year-old pregnant female assessed for health and welfare purposes — stable.
A 30-year-old pregnant female assessed for health and welfare purposes – stable,” NSW police wrote on its official website.
DCOP Burn has confirmed she's spoken to the police officer injured, who is going well under the circumstances. #MartinPlace
— NSW Police (@nswpolice) December 16, 2014
The police made a call to storm the Lindt cafe after hearing shots inside, Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said, adding that a critical incident investigation has been launched.
In response to a question regarding whether the hostages were shot by the gunman or by the police, Scipione did not provide a clear answer.
"Again, as a result of an exchange of gunfire inside those premises, police moved in. At this stage, as I’ve indicated we have a number of people that are injured and certainly we’re working through that as part of the critical incident," he said.
The police estimate that there were 17 hostages held at the cafe during the siege.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott released a statement following the Sydney siege, Mirror reported. "The National Security Committee of Cabinet will meet shortly to review the situation," Prime Minister was quoted as saying.
