Woman held hostage in Melbourne, police shoot dead man to rescue her

According to reports, the rescue was launched after reports of an explosion.

Police shot dead a man to rescue a woman he held hostage in a south eastern suburb in Melbourne on Monday.

Two men were killed in the incident. (AP File Photo)

A major rescue operation was launched at the Bay Street apartment in Brighton following reports of an explosion.

The woman was held hostage in an apartment leading to emergency services, including SES crews, being called to the scene where they also located the body of a man who appeared to have been shot in the foyer of the building.

“Police are attempting to negotiate with a man in one of the apartments,” the spokeswoman said during the operation. “It’s believed he has a woman inside with him who he won’t allow to leave.”

Victoria Police, which kept posting updates on its Twitter profile, confirmed that the situation was resolved.