A police operation is under way in downtown Sydney Australia, where several people are being held hostage in a cafe, police said.
New South Wales Police said there was also an operation at the Sydney Opera House, according to ABC News.
The hostages were being held in the Lindt Chocolat Café, a chocolate shop and cafe in Sydney's Martin Place, the city's financial district where the Reserve Bank of Australia and several commercial banks have their main offices. The area is also close to the New South Wales state parliament.
Police would not say how many hostages were being held inside the cafe, how many suspects might be inside and how they might be armed.
Some of those being held could be seen through the shop's windows with their hands held in the air.
Two people were also seen inside the cafe holding up what appeared to be a black flag with white Arabic writing on it.
New South Wales police confirm to ABC News that they were responding to an incident at the Sydney Opera House. They said the situation is ongoing.
WSBTV
