The Sydney Siege was one of the extremely rare occasions when Australia suffered a terror attack. The hostage situation seemed to have a connection with Australia's mission in the Middle East as a black flag with white Arabic writing on it was displayed during the attack to hint who might be behind the siege that eventually took three lives. Here is how it happened:
9.45 a.m. (Dec. 15)
Reports initially suggest a possible armed robbery at Lindt Chocolat café in Sydney Martin's Place. Police are called to the busy plaza.
10.10 a.m. (Dec. 15)
Media outlets come to know about the hostage situation. Hostages are seen inside the café with their hands pressed against the window. A couple of hostages are apparently forced to hold a black flag with white Arabic writing saying "There is no other god than Allah" and "Mohammad is the only messenger." The hostage situation is speculated to have connection with Islamic State militants.
10.30 a.m. (Dec. 15)
Police evacuate nearby buildings and line up outside the café.
12.30 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses the nation and calls it a "deeply concerning incident."
04.00 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Three men are captured on camera while running away from the café. One of the people, who managed to flee, is wearing a café apron.
05.00 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Two more people manage to escape. Two women in Lindt aprons sprint to the officers.
06.00 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Abbott claims that the situation was politically motivated. However, he does not officially refer to any possible terror plot.
06.30 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn meets the press and says that police negotiators have contacted the assailant. She says that the negotiation may take some time. She does not specify the number of hostages.
09.00 p.m. (Dec. 15)
Lights inside the Lindt café are turned off. Officers put on their night goggles.
01.11 a.m. (Dec. 16)
The assailant is identified as Man Haron Monis aka Sheikh Haron. Australia granted political asylum to the Iranian-born cleric years back.
02.20 a.m. (Dec. 16)
Loud bangs are audible as more hostages manage to run away. Commandos rush the café. Several bursts of gunfire are heard. People with injuries are carried off the building.
02.35 a.m. (Dec. 16)
NSW Police declare the siege to be over.
05.48 a.m. (Dec. 16)
Three people, including the gunman, are declared to be dead. The other two casualties are a 38-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man.
A police officer stands near Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. REUTERS/David GrayPolice officers are seen at a corner near Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. REUTERS/Jason ReedA police officer runs across Martin Place near Lindt cafe, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. REUTERS/David GrayPeople standing behind a police cordon look towards Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014.REUTERS/David GrayPeople standing behind a police cordon look towards Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014.REUTERS/David GrayPolice officers gesture near Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. REUTERS/David GrayA police officer runs across Martin Place near Lindt cafe, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. Hostages were being held inside the central Sydney cafe where a black flag with white Arabic writing could be seen in the window, local television showed on Monday, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants.REUTERS/David GrayA woman is assisted as a group of people are evacuated by police from a building next to Lindt cafe in Martin Place, where hostages are being held, in central Sydney December 15, 2014. Dozens of hostages were trapped inside the central Sydney cafe on Monday, with local television showing some being forced to hold up a black flag with white Arabic writing in the window, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. REUTERS/David GrayA hostage runs towards a police officer outside Lindt cafe, where other hostages are being held, in Martin Place in central Sydney December 15, 2014.REUTERS/Jason ReedHostages run towards a police officer (R) near Lindt Cafe, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. REUTERS/Jason ReedParamedics remove an injured woman on a stretcher from the Lindt cafe, where hostages were being held, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. Reuters/David GrayHostages run past a police officer (C) near Lindt Cafe, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. REUTERS/Jason ReedParamedics remove a person, with bloodstains on the blankets covering the person, on a stretcher from the Lindt cafe, where hostages were being held, at Martin Place in central Sydney December 16, 2014. REUTERS/David GraySydney resident Kate Golder cries as she observes the site of a Sydney cafe siege after it ended in Martin Place, December 16, 2014.REUTERS/Jason Reed
