Just in: Police are responding to an apparent hostage situation in Brighton near Melbourne, Australia. Reports of possible explosion in area as well. The Daily Express reports that a man is dead and one woman has been held hostage.

Sky News confirms the report: "One man is dead and Victoria Police are responding to a hostage situation after an explosion at a south-east Melbourne apartment block."

Sky News says emergency services were called to the scene on Bay Street about 4pm on Monday where they located the body of a man who appeared to have been shot in the foyer of the building.

Police are trying to negotiate with a man inside one of the apartments, who is believed to be holding a woman hostage.

Shots have rung out at the scene with residents told to take cover at a nearby Coles, while those in the building have been evacuated.


Image: Emergency crew outside the building where the woman is being held hostage. The image was tweeted by the Daily Express.