UPDATE: Ecuadorian police have entered the building to free the TV crew, also broadcasted on live television.
#URGENTE: La @PoliciaEcuador a las 14:45, ingresa a las instalaciones del medio televisivo. pic.twitter.com/3vNhhpDJQc
— CENTRO Digital (@radiocentroec) January 9, 2024
An Ecuadorian News Station’s TV Crew has been taken hostage on a live broadcast after the station was stormed by a criminal group.
Equipo periodístico de TC Televisión es atacado por delincuentes en vivo. pic.twitter.com/GjoCYdHYH0
— Metro Ecuador (@MetroEcuador) January 9, 2024
Videos have been taken of the broadcast which shows the criminals flaunting around what appears to be various explosives, including one which was temporarily placed into the suit pocket of one of the TV crew.
?? #Ecuador | El país está secuestrado, esto ya se fue a otro nivel. ?
Cuando me duele que este país tan privilegiado llegue a este nivel. ? pic.twitter.com/Xu6Xy3hBzX
— Divulgación Científica (@Sargox) January 9, 2024
The storming comes amidst a wider wave of unrest after notorious Los Cheneros gang leader Jose “Fito” Macias escaped from a Guayaquil prison yesterday, prompting the Ecuadorian government to declare a state of emergency, and mobilize its military.
Several riots have broken out at at least 6 other prisons across Ecuador, which have seen a number of guards taken hostage. Additionally, several attacks have taken place throughout the country as Ecuadorian police and military search for Macias.
