News footage showed the hostage situation live as it was happening when armed men took over a TV station in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday, threatening staff with bombs and guns.
Armed gunmen took over a local television studio in Ecuador Tuesday, pointing their weapons at terrified staff and taking them hostage during a live broadcast.
The gunmen infiltrated the studio of TC Television in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where the incident was aired live for about 15 minutes before the signal was cut. Harrowing video was shared to social media showing several of the masked assailants approaching a man who was pleading for them to deescalate the situation.
As he begged them with his hands folded, several of the armed men approached him with their weapons drawn and forced him to drop to the ground. Behind him, other employees could be seen on the ground, apparently being held hostage.
As the video continued, the gunmen – who could be heard yelling in Spanish – brandished what they claimed were bombs in front of the still rolling cameras. One of the men took what appeared to be a dynamite stick and placed it in the begging staffer’s front jacket pocket.
