Armed police officers point as they stand at the ready close to a cafe under siege at Martin Place in Sydney, Australia, Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. (PTI)
The Indian Consulate in Sydney was today evacuated in view of the hostage situation in a cafe near its premises and all the staff members are safe, the External Affairs Ministry today said.
"As a preventive measure in accordance with the local requirements, we have evacuated the staff from the Sydney Consulate building because it is located about 300-400 metres away from where this incident took place," Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in New Delhi.
An armed man today took undisclosed number of people hostage at a Cafe in Martin Place in the heart of Sydney's business district.
The Indian Consulate is in touch with local authorities and all the staffers in the consulate are safe, the spokesperson said.
"Our Consulate is in touch with local authorities.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has spoken to the High Commissioner who is in touch with local organisations," Mr Akbaruddin said.