Hostages Taken in Martin Place

[markis10]

Glad I am not in Martin place

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/12/15/10/00/major-police-operation-in-sydneys-martin-place

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Glad I am not in Martin place

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/12/15/10/00/major-police-operation-in-sydneys-martin-place

Just been reading about that. It isn't sounding good at all

 

[markis10]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Just been reading about that. It isn't sounding good at all

My son and I were walking up Bridge st and could not believe the amount of police whizzing by.

 

[medhead]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Is it Martin place? I thought I heard market place on nine news. Visible extra police in T3 departure level now. Pretty sure they're NSW police.

 

[markis10]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Is it Martin place? I thought I heard market place on nine news. Visible extra police in T3 departure level now. Pretty sure they're NSW police.

Martin place near ch7

 

[medhead]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Martin place near ch7

Damn. Probably means Martin place trains are going to be off line.

This is not to diminish the situation of those in the cafe.

 

[clazman]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

News report just said trains are off

 

[OATEK]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Re: Seige: - The persons concerned obviously chose the location for maximum impact. Right opposite 7's TV Studio, above which are the new NSW Government ministerial offices (recently relocated from Farrer Place).

 

[snabbu]

Apparently the airspace above Sydney (city) has been shut down.

A number of hostages have been taken in a siege underway in Sydney's CBD.

At least three people can be seen through the windows of a cafe in Martin Place with their hands raised.

Live: Hostages held in siege in Martin Place - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[TomVexille]

Just heard this on the radio. Rumours of cell phones being jammed in the cbd as well.

I hope this is resolved peacefully

 

[knasty]

I am watching it from my office 1 block away. Cops have just pushed the clear zone another 100m or so back.

 

[boomy]

Onboard QF127 now listening to the news.
Hope all ends well for everyone involved.
The airspace above SYD is open ATM.

 

[snabbu]

Onboard QF127 now listening to the news.
Hope all ends well for everyone involved.
The airspace above SYD is open ATM.

Hope everything is back to normal this afternoon for your landing!
I couldn't find a link to the airspace shutdown but seems u are quite right, only some incoming flights are being diverted.

 

[clazman]

my thoughts go out to the hostages ...and don't hurt the chocolate

 

[Pushka]

I am with you Tom, I hope this ends peacefully. As do we all.

 

[Homer]

SMH is reporting that airspace remains open but that traffic is being re-routed. I'm in the city too and there's certainly plenty of choppers up there...

 

[Pushka]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

MrP and I are at odds about what to do with people wanting to join IS from Australia. I say let them go and come what may. And arrest them if they get to return. He thinks that they learn too much about warfare and we should keep them here and seize passports.

I guess it is a lose/lose discussion.

There is a separate thread about the siege too. Hope it ends well for the hostages, I cannot imagine their terror, or that of their loved ones.

 

[drron]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Our son is in the building in lockdown.
Really brings things into focus.

 

[medhead]

We landed from the south this morning and the situation was only just a breaking news item in the gate lounge as I walked off the plane. Kinda suggests landing should be fine.

MrP and I are at odds about what to do with people wanting to join IS from Australia. I say let them go and come what may. And arrest them if they get to return. He thinks that they learn too much about warfare and we should keep them here and seize passports.

I guess it is a lose/lose discussion.

There is a separate thread about the siege too. Hope it ends well for the hostages, I cannot imagine their terror, or that of their loved ones.

I half saw some stuff on a TV show about what the Dutch are doing with returned people. It seemed their approach was to actively address the isolation from Dutch society that makes them amenable to going off and joining such groups. Seem much better than ostracising them from society, as that just plays into the brainwashing technique.

 

[knasty]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Our son is in the building in lockdown.
Really brings things into focus.

Dr Ron there are a number in lockdown including mine 1 block away. I would post a photo but it just looks deserted apart from a few parked cars and SWAT outside.