Police release hostages in Cape Town

A hostage drama in central Cape Town ended on Saturday night when police stormed a restaurant, shooting dead the hostage taker and releasing hostages.

Photo: Police release hostages in Cape Town

Two people were shot and wounded when an unknown person took a number of people hostage at Nyoni's Kraal in the popular Long Street at about 10 a.m. (0800 GMT).

Police spokeswoman Inspector Bernadine Steyn said police set off a stun grenade and fired several shots when they entered the restaurant shortly after 6:30 p.m. (1630 GMT), SAPA reported.

"The police went in. Several shots were fired and the suspect (the alleged hostage taker), a 26-year-old male, was fatally wounded," she said.

Police released two hostages, one of whom was the man's wife who had been shot in the leg while inside the restaurant. A female passer-by had been hit by a stray bullet and taken to hospital.

Long Street, in the heart of Cape Town's tourist district, is well-known for its many bookstores and eateries as well as backpacker lodges and youth hostels.