The gunman holding up to 20 people hostage in Sydney has now turned out the lights of the cafe so police are unable to see him or his hostages.
Police had originally been able to see inside the cafe and chilling footage emerged of one of the hostages apparently trying to communicate with police by miming her throat being cut, however, as the siege entered its 14th hour, the gunman plunged the building into darkness.
Two of the hostages spoke to Channel Ten and told them that the gunman claims to have four bombs, two of which are in the cafe and two elsewhere in the financial district.
Earlier today five of the hostages managed to escape.
It is believed the police now know who the gunman is and that he was a man already known to them.
Up to 100 heavily armed police are now surrounding the area, while food has been taken to the hostages.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott convened the National Security Committee for emergency briefings and issued a statement to the people of Australia saying: “This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner.”
