Thousands pay tribute at Martin Place
AAP
December 16, 2014, 12:31 pm
Thousands of mourners have laid flowers at a makeshift memorial near Sydney's Martin Place, honouring those who died at the Lindt cafe.
As news broke during the early hours of Tuesday that the 16-hour siege had ended, people started to gather under a grey Sydney sky to share their grief for the two people who died.
A memorial has been set up in Sydney to honour those who lost their lives in the Lindt cafe siege.
A cordoned-off area for the shrine has now been widened as the number of floral tributes keep increasing, with local florists struggling to keep up with the sudden surge in demand.
Hostage-taker and self-declared Muslim sheik Man Haron Monis walked into the cafe on Monday morning, trapping 17 people.
A 38-year-old barrister, Katrina Dawson and 34-year-old Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson died, along with the gunman.
Martin Place has been flooded with flowers and the makeshift memorial continues growing. Photo: Getty
Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, accompanied by Lady Cosgrove and flanked by heavy security, arrived just before 11am to lay flowers.
"It's a sad day for Australia. For the survivors we give thanks," Sir Peter said.
Earlier NSW Premier Mike Baird, Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres and NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione all paid their respects.
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione pays his respects while members of the media watch on. Photo: Getty.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected later.
"What we need to do is to come together like never before," Mr Baird said.
"It's a terrible tragedy."
Photo: Flags on all commonwealth government buildings are flying at half-mast to honour those who died at the cafe.
Long faces, glassy eyes, bowed heads and people with tightly crossed arms, almost hugging themselves, consoled each other near Martin Place.
Hundreds have also left messages in condolence books set up on black trestle tables to the side of the shrine.
Set up by the premier's office shortly after Mr Baird's visit, the dozen notebooks carry the tear-stained messages of the public.
They will be bound into a NSW government condolence book.
The book is also available online, said a spokeswoman.
"Innocent lives lost, family and others burned forever. Thoughts and prayers with you all" was one message.
"Rest in peace Katrina, love to Paul and your beautiful children. Rest in peace," was another.
A woman broke out into song in front of the shrine, urging the crowd to sing Amazing Grace with her.
"They didn't deserve to die, so sing it with me," she urged as other mourners joined in the wavering hymn.
Such is the demand for flowers, many florists around the city have run out of stock.
Representatives from the Islamophobia Register Australia visited the shrine and laid several bouquets.
As they walked away, a middle-aged, blonde woman stepped forward and embraced them.
"We are with you ... feel safe, feel safe," she said as she wrapped her arms around the two Muslim women.
Mariam Veiszadeh, spokeswoman for Islamophobia Register Australia, was visibly moved by the interaction.
"I think it's symbolic of the Australian-ness that we all feel on a day like this, and we're all in this together," she said.
"We're all in this together, and that's the emotion everyone is feeling," she said.
Office worker Hetal stood, head bowed, observing the memorial.
His Martin Place office was one of the many that was put into lockdown on Monday.
The 35-year-old said he didn't sleep all night, just following the coverage of the siege.
"It's just devastating. I came here to offer my prayers, give a moment's silence."
"My family and I, we have experience of this from Mumbai, the terrorist attacks there.
"You just don't expect it in Sydney, we're so far away from it all."
AAP
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