How the Lindt cafe siege unfolded

RE-LIVE the Martin Place hostage drama from the moment Man Haron Monis forced his way into the Lindt cafe until the siege ended in a hail of bullets.

1/16Man Haron Monis forced some of the hostages to hold up a Muslim flag. Picture: Channel 7

2/16Gunman Man Haron Monis.

3/16Armed police move into position early in the siege. Picture: Getty Images

4/16Hostages were forced to stand in front of the front doors and windows inside the Lindt cafe. Picture: Toby Zerna

5/16Armed police were stationed at two emergency exits for the duration of the siege. Picture: Getty Images

6/16People believed to be family and friends of hostages gather with police near the Martin Place siege. Picture: Cameron Richardson

7/16Hostages John O’Brien and Stefan Balafoutis (white shirt) were the first to make their escape and run to safety. Picture: Getty Images

8/16Elly Chen runs towards heavily armed police. Picture: Adam Taylor

9/16A staff member goes to the front door to turn off the lights in the Lindt cafe during the siege. Picture: Craig Greenhill

10/16A group of hostage make their escape just before gunfire erupts. Picture: Getty Images

11/16Afemale hostage is carried out after police stormed the Sydney cafe. Picture: Getty Images

12/16Louisa Hope is taken out on a stretcher after sustaining a gunshot wound to the foot. Picture: Getty Images

13/16Channel 7 screen grabs of the Lindt Martin Place terror hostage. Muslim flag at the window, sniper

14/16Gunman believed to be members of ISIS have taken hostages at Lindt cafe in Martin place today screen grabs

15/16Channel 7 screen grabs of the Lindt Martin Place terror hostage. Muslim flag at the window, sniper

16/16Channel 7 screen grabs of the Lindt Martin Place terror hostage. Muslim flag at the window, sniper