External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Monday sought details of a hostage taking incident in Sydney and has spoken to the Indian envoy in Australia.
According to sources, the minister spoke to Indian High Commissioner Biren Nanda about the unfolding drama in a Sydney cafe where a gun-wielding man has taken over 30 people hostage.
According to New South Wales (NSW) police, a gunman took customers hostage at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place. NSW Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn tweeted that three hostages have emerged from the cafe.
The Indian consulate office in Sydney and the staff have been safely evacuated, it was reported. It is not yet known if there are any Indians inside the cafe.
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "In case of queries about Indian nationals following events in Sydney contact Viond Bahade Dy Consul General at phone +61 481 453550."
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