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Hostage freed, captor arrested in west Australia siege

Thursday, 16 July 2015 1:47 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 17 July 2015 3:18 AM ]

A hostage situation unfolds at a park in Bunbury, Western Australia, July 16, 2015. (ABC photo)

Following a 13-hour hostage situation in a park in the port city of Bunbury, western Australia, a man allegedly armed with explosives was arrested and his hostage released.

According to Australian media on Thursday, the 52-year old hostage taker surrendered after police fired "non-lethal" shots at him.

The hostage situation ended with the captor kneeling and raising his hand. The victim, who was reportedly unhurt, had been released some 20 minutes earlier.

Police had cordoned off the corner of Koombana Drive in Bunbury, about 170 kilometers south west of Perth.

The Australian broadcaster ABC said a large sign was erected at the scene, apparently carrying the demands of the hostage-taker, who had reportedly explosives strapped to his body.

Officers wearing bulletproof vests were deployed to the area while firefighters and dog squad officers were also in attendance. Local reporters tweeting from the park said police have warned local residents off the area.
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Back in December 2014, a 16-hour siege in a café in the southeastern Australian city of Sydney led to the death of three people, including the gunman. A police officer and three hostages were also injured.

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