Masked gunmen open fire in TV studio live on air after drug kingpin’s escape sparks state of emergency in Ecuador
HOODED gunmen have hijacked a live television broadcast in Ecuador and threatened staff members.
Live television footage broadcast from Ecuador's TC station in Guayaquil showed hooded gunmen storming the set, waving guns and threatening people.
Shots could be heard as some of the gunmen told staff members to lie on the ground.
One gunman was reportedly heard saying: "We are on the air so that they know we do not play with the mafia".
Another hooded man has been alleged to have left a stick of dynamite in the television station's reception area.
National police units in both Quito and Guayaquil have been deployed to the scene.
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Armed men have also entered the University of Guayaquil, attempting to kidnap students, and Teodoro Maldonado hospital, where they have been attempting to kidnap doctors.
Shots have been heard in both locations, and an evacuation order has been issued at the Carondelet presidential complex in Quito.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has been forced to declare a state of emergency.