BREAKING: Gunmen break into television studio in Ecuador, hold hosts, staff at gunpoint on live TV

They can be heard yelling at the stunned victims to lie on the floor while noises similar to gunshots sound off in the background.

They can be heard yelling at the stunned victims to lie on the floor while noises similar to gunshots sound off in the background.

Hooded and masked gunmen broke into TC Television in Ecuador and held hosts and staff at gunpoint on live TV. The shocking footage was quickly recorded and shared online.



They can be heard yelling at the stunned victims to lie on the floor and warned they had bombs while noises similar to gunshots sound off in the background.

Just before the live feed was cut off, one of the gunmen can be heard yelling "no police."

Ecuador's national police reported on X that staff were evacuated from the studio.

Police commander Cesar Zapata told local TV channel Teleamazonas that everyone involved in the break-in have been arrested and multiple guns and explosives were seized.

National police shared a post to X containing photos of some of the perpetrators.



The incident comes after Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency following the escape of Adolfo Macias, "one of the country's most notorious drug gang bosses," from prison on Sunday according to Sky News.

The country has since been in a state of chaos. At least 7 police officers have been kidnapped as of Tuesday and a series of explosions have been reported across Ecuador. Local media outlets have reported several incidents of cars being set on fire in northern cities.

Almost 40 other inmates including another convicted drug lord also escaped from a nearby prison in Riobamba Tuesday.

Since the incident, Noboa declared that there is an "internal armed conflict," and said he is mobilizing the military to neutralize "terrorist groups."



It remains unclear who is responsible for the attacks or the incident at the TV station. However Macias is the leader of the notoriously violent Los Choneros gang which also has links with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel.

It is rumored that Los Choneros was responsible for the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Macias was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking and murder and was set to be transferred to a maximum security facility the day he escaped. Two prison guards have been charged as the escape is investigated.

Officials have reported that over 3000 police officers have been mobilized to arrest him, however he has not been found as of yet. According to ABC News, a total of 10 people were killed and 29 buildings were attacked across Ecuador Tuesday. The 7 kidnapped police officers have not been released.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Image: Title: ecuador tv
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