Shocking video shows the moment heavily armed police officers stormed the café held by a suspected Islamic extremist for the last 16 hours in Sydney, Australia .

Unverified footage, first aired on Australian TV, shows a number of officers moving into the building amid crackling gunfire and at least five loud explosions.

As officers open fire more hostages can be seen fleeing from the Lindt’s store, on Martin Place in the central business district of the city. It remains unclear whether they escaped or were freed during the gunfire battle.