As the sun rose in Sydney on Tuesday morning, many residents awoke to the devastating news that two hostages had been killed as the siege at a cafe in Martin Place came to a grim end overnight.
Newspapers published late editions to share the latest on the bloody end to the siege, which also resulted in the death of the suspected gunman.
Stunned mourners gathered in Martin Place to comfort one another.
People also brought flowers to leave at the scene in memory of those who lost their lives.
More and more people placed flowers in the square in memory of the dead.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione was among those who paid his respects at the floral memorial.
Representatives from Sydney's Muslim community also placed flowers.
