City heart ... The Lindt cafe is in Sydney’s financial district, just south of major landmarks such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.Source: News Corp Australia
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A SYDNEY court heard details of an alleged terror plot to be carried out in Martin Place in the wake of terror raids in Sydney and Melbourne in September this year.
The plot involved abducting a random Australian, executing them by beheading in a public place, possibly Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD, and filming the act and posting it on social media.
Terror target ... the siege is taking place on one of Sydney’s busiest streets, across from the Channel Seven studios.Source: Supplied
Martin Place has long been Sydney’s business hub, and a home to banks and finance companies. Closed to traffic, it runs from bustling George Street uphill to NSW Parliament House on Macquarie Street.
The train line out to Kings Cross and Bondi Junction runs beneath the street, with Martin Place station situated towards the eastern end of the mall.
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Nightmare scenario ... police at an armed siege at the Lindt cafe. Picture : Richard DobsonSource: News Corp Australia
The street is often visited by tourists, especially this month with the erection of a large Christmas tree at its western end.
The Lindt cafe on the corner on Philip Street is directly opposite the Channel Seven studios, from which the network broadcasts its high-rating AM shows Sunrise and The Morning Show.
Hostage scene ... an aerial shot of the Lindt Cafe in Sydney's Martin Place.Source: Supplied
Channel 7’s Martin Place studio staff unwittingly became siege central, with The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies cutting from regular programming to broadcast the chilling vision live.
City shut down ... the first report of the incident was at 9.44am.Source: News Corp Australia
Seven News’ senior reporter Chris Reason was brought in to add commentary, while the rest of the Sydney news and current affairs staff were ordered to evacuate the building by NSW Police.
At 10.30am, the seriousness of the ISIS threat forced the remaining TV production staff to leave the premises, throwing to the network’s Melbourne news crew, anchored by Nick Etchells and Laurel Irving.
TV executive producer Max Uechtriz tweeted confirmation of the terror scenario, with hostages forced to hold up the sinister black flag of the Islamic terror group.
Mobilised ... the bomb squad on scene at Martin Place. Picture: Richard DobsonSource: News Corp Australia
Based on news staff eyewitness accounts, at least two suspects were identified walking around inside the cafe, one wearing an ISIS-tagged headband.
The Lindt cafe is a luxe space in a marble building, with high ceilings, gold trimmed furnishings and wall-to-wall chocolate displays.
Large bins of Lindt balls, in the colours of Christmas, have been placed just as you walk into the store.