Armed gunmen storm live TV set and hold broadcasters hostage with 'bombs'
Several gunmen appeared on national television during a news broadcast in Ecuador, hijacking the studio and holding the hosts hostage for some time before the country's police stormed the studio and arrested the gang members.
The incident occurred at the studio of TC Televisión, reported El Universo. The studio is located in the north of Guayaquil, a major city on the western coast of the country.
"They want to kill us all," journalists could be heard yelling on the screen in the video. The same messages were reportedly relayed to emergency services as the incident unfolded as well as through WhatsApp channels and groups.
Police confirmed they have bought the terrifying live TV hijack to an end and arrested all the suspects. They said in two separate tweets: “Following the intervention of police in the installations of TC Televison, people are being evacuated from the site with the aim of verifying updates with workers and reestablishing order.
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Hooded gunmen hijacked a TV studio in Ecuador, pointing guns at hosts and exploding dynamite on live television on Tuesday, creating nationwide panic (TC)The men who entered the studio were hooded, and one could reportedly be heard saying: "We are on the air so that they know that we do not play with the mafia." They reportedly were also heard shouting: "No police!" Some held up hand signals that may have been gang signs.
Chaos broke out starting at about 2pm local time on Tuesday, it was reported, and at around 2:30pm, a series of explosions could be heard emanating from the studio. One of the masked intruders reportedly carried a stick of dynamite and left it in the reception area.
"Don't shoot, please!" several of the employees could reportedly be heard screaming. Signal abruptly cut out from the broadcast at 2:39pm, but the channel continued to broadcast internationally. Local authorities dispatched specialised units to the scene, including bomb squads and tactical teams, in an attempt to diffuse the situation and confront the gunmen.
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The gunmen held the TV hosts hostage as they stormed the set, hijacking it (TC)Employees at Gamavisión, a studio located on the same property, were evacuated through a side exit, it was reported, and were able to make it out safely. Nearby streets and neighbourhoods were blocked off as the authorities worked to secure the building.
“As a result of the operation our police units have apprehended several suspects.” Pictures posted by the police online showed several men face-down on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs. Local reports said 13 people had been arrested, though officials said they managed to apprehend all of the gunmen.
One person rescued was said to have suffered a leg wound although TV boss Manuel Ortega insisted last night there were no casualties, saying: “We are safe, the station has been evacuated.”
A journalist named locally as Jose Luis Calderon had a gun pointed at his head and is also said to have had a stick of dynamite placed inside his jacket pocket. He was pictured on his knees pleading for mercy.
Ecuadorian police have released a video that shows the arrest of all the suspects. The video shows the suspects being marched out of the studio, surrounded by officers. Most have been unmasked at this point and were dragged out while handcuffed.
Meanwhile, the police seen in the video are masked, to protect their identities, as drug-gang related violence reached a new level in the country last year.
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"The country is kidnapped, this has already gone to another level," wrote @Sargox on X, formerly known as Twitter, who posted the footage. "When it hurts me that this very privileged country reaches this level."
The incident comes mere days after a drug lord who had been incarcerated in one of the country's prisons escaped, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare a state of emergency. The prison had been located in Guayaquil.
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The employees at the TV station screamed for help as the kidnappings were broadcast (TC)Noboa is the son of one of the country's richest businessmen, who died in 1994. He took office in November and promised a massive crackdown on the country's drug problems and gang activities. He posted a statement to X about the incident, which, roughly translated, read: "I have signed the executive decree declaring Internal Armed Conflict and identified the following transnational organised crime groups as terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors."
He then listed a number of gangs, cartels and other organisations and declared military action to seek out and "neutralise" the groups. The state of emergency he declared today also lets him flex more control and implements curfews, allows the military to search prisons and other buildings across the country and reduces citizens' liberties for 60 days.
José Adolfo Macias Villamar, also known as Fito, escaped on Sunday. He is the leader of the Los Choneros gang, which is linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, which was once controlled by the infamous kingpin El Chapo. Fito, 44, was imprisoned for 34 years for crimes including robbery, organised crime, carrying armed weapons and murder.
The hijacking may have been related to the recent escape of drug lord Fito from prison, but that remains unconfirmed (TC)Fito's escape led to riots in several of the country's prisons, it was reported, with guards being held hostage as they threatened them and implored the authorities not to go after Fito. It remains unclear whether or not the hijacking at the TV set is related to the prison riots and Fito's escape.
Of the state of emergency and the hunt for Fito, Noboa stated: "It has ended the time where those imprisoned for drugs, assasinations and organised crime can dictate to the government."
He added: "What we are seeing in the prisons is the result of the decision to face up to them. For that reason, we have taken measures that allow us to take back control of prisons which we have lost in recent years, and for that reason, they are trying to scare us and think we will give way to their demands."
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