Ecuador’s escalating gang violence is broadcast live to the nation as masked gunmen storm TV studio

It was a day like any other at the TC Television studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with its mid-afternoon newscast underway, when the masked gunmen burst in unleashing at least 15 minutes of threats and fear – all broadcast live

First a man with a pistol appeared in the middle of the public TV station’s live transmission followed by a second man with a shotgun, then a third and more. With the show’s “After the News” title behind them, station employees were brought onto the set and ordered to lie down. Screams could be heard followed by the sounds of gunshots.

“We are on air, so you know that you cannot play with the mafia,” one of the assailants is heard saying.

Read more: AP