Updated | Sydney siege: Police storm cafe, identify gunman

Police stormed a Sydney cafe, apparently ending a hostage crisis that had dragged on for more than 16 hours.

According to reports, at least one person has been shot and medics were performing CPR on two people.

The fate of the hostages and the gunman, identified by an official with direct knowledge of the situation as Man Haron Monis, was unclear 

Citing police, media outlets identified the suspect as Man Haron Monis, 49, an Iranian-born, self-proclaimed spiritual healer with a lengthy criminal record who is currently free on bail.

Footage appeared to show hostages running from the downtown cafe where the crisis took place. Police then appeared to storm the building. Earlier, a lone gunman issued demands and claimed to have bombs scattered around the city.

The gunman had released videos, through some hostages, stating that he wanted an Islamic State flag and a phone call from Australian prime minister Tony Abbott. He also made bomb threats, media outlets including Sky News Australia were reporting.

Hundreds of heavily armed police officers, many in sniper positions, had taken control of the streets around the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place, the heart of the city's financial and shopping district.

Five hostages were able to flee to safety in the first several hours of the standoff. An undisclosed number of hostages remained in the cafe until the resolution, police said.