Hooded gunmen have burst onto a live TV set in Ecuador.
Live television images broadcast on Tuesday showed hooded people – some waving guns – inside Ecuador’s TC Television station in Guayaquil.
They were seen telling staff to lie down on the floor and shouted that they had “bombs”, while shouting and noises similar to gunshots could be heard in the background.
The incident comes a day after Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency after one of the country’s most-notorious drug gang bosses escaped from prison.
At least seven police officers have also been kidnapped, and there have been a series of explosions across the South American country.
Soldiers patrol the perimeter of Inca prison during a state of emergency in Quito, Ecuador. Pic: AP
Soldiers atop an armoured vehicle after Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency. Pic: Reuters
Members of military stand guard near the Presidential Palace in Quito, Ecuador. Pic: Reuters
Adolfo Macias – also known as Fito – was first reported missing from his cell on Sunday.
Ecuador‘s prosecutors then filed charges against two prison guards as part of their investigation into the alleged escape.
The leader of the Los Choneros gang was serving a 34-year sentence in La Regional prison for drug trafficking and murder.
