Sydney, Dec 16 (IANS): Florists in the centre of Sydney were nearly sold out of flowers Tuesday after thousands of people started leaving bouquets and flowers in tributes at Martin Place following reports that three people died in a hostage drama.
So far, thousands of bunches of flowers have been left in the city centre near the cafe that became the spotlight of world-wide attention.
New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione visited a makeshift memorial near Martin Place Tuesday morning in honour of the two hostages who lost their lives during the siege.
He stood and looked at the floral tributes laid by members of the public and paused for a moment of silence before leaving.
"I don't think I could be sadder," Xinhua quoted him as telling reporters. "Having said that, I'm incredibly proud of our police and what we've done."
The memorial of flowers has grown throughout the day with local florists struggling to keep up with demand.
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird and Australia's Governor General Peter Cosgrove were among those who visited the site to pay their respects.
The manager of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe was one of two people killed during Monday's siege in Martin Place. Tori Johnson, 34, died in hospital after being shot inside the cafe that he had run for two years. Sydney lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38, was the other hostage who died.
NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Catherine Burn did not comment Tuesday about the claims that Johnson was shot when he tried to wrestle the weapon from the gunman, Man Haron Monis, to allow the other hostages to escape.
Burn said police were yet to piece together what had transpired in the cafe and that investigation could take many months.
Baird has announced flags on all NSW government buildings would fly at half-mast Wednesday. The flags on the Sydney Harbour Bridge are also at half-mast.
The Sydney public were also signing condolence books near the Martin Place where the 15-hour hostage-taking unfolded.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the flags would be flown at half-mast at all Commonwealth government buildings as a mark of respect and mourning for all the innocent victims involved in the incident.
Sydney's terror episode ended in tragedy early Tuesday morning with three dead -- including the lone gunman -- as police stormed the cafe.
Flashes of light and gunshot rang out from the building only moments after six hostages escaped from armed Islamic preacher Man Haron Monis, just after 2 a.m..
Police confirmed two of the hostages -- who were part of 20 being held since 9:45 a.m. Monday -- were killed and at least four others were injured, one of them a police officer.