The live broadcast by Ecuadorean national television station TC was interrupted on Tuesday by masked gunmen who threatened the staff in the city of Guayaquil in Ecuador, a country in South America, reported news agency Reuters.
Police in Guayaquil said that 13 people have been arrested, and freed all the staff later.
The situation in the South American country has been perilous since a 60-day emergency began in Ecuador on Monday, which has so far claimed the lives of 10 people, reports BBC. The Emergency was declared after a notorious gangster vanished from his prison cell, with President Daniel Noboa issuing a decree declaring 22 gangs as terrorist organisations.
In the video, people wearing balaclavas and mostly dressed in black, were seen wielding guns and forcing the crew onto the ground, as the live broadcast continued. Some could even be seen gesturing towards the camera and saying “no police”.
Reuters reported that the accused entered through Gamavision, which is another public broadcaster and shares site with TC, reception and assaulted the staff there.
The incident followed the kidnappings of at least seven police officers and a series of explosions, soon after the emergency was declared.
Watch the horrific video here:
President Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency in Ecuador on Monday after the escape of Adolfo Macias, leader of the Los Choneros criminal gang, from prison where he was serving a 34-year- sentence, related to various crimes, including taking guards as hostages.
Following this, seven police officers were kidnapped in three separate incidents in the southern city of Machala, Quito and Los Rios province, amd explosions were also reported in the provinces of Esmeraldas and Los Rios, Loja and Machala.
In the past two days, 11 prison guards, who had been taken hostage, were released, while 139 guards are still being held.