Its been about 5 hours since the hostages were taken, the Sydney news I am watching now says it started about 9:45 AM Monday morning...they are about a day ahead of US. When the man entered the Café carrying a blue backpack.
Someone else who worked there said there were 13-14 employees, and about 30 customers, who were hostages.
I’ve been watching their ABC channel and last I heard, they were still saying 13 hostages. But I’ve also been watching tv and may have missed an update mentioning customers. I did see something posted here that there were close to 50 hostages.
Now showing someone bolting out through a fire door. Appeared to be an employee.