The event occurred in Isla Trinitaria, south of Guayaquil, on Tuesday evening and was spread on social media.

An investigation to identify the victims, determine the reasons, and find those responsible for this terrorist event is underway, the Police stated in a press release.

A few minutes later, a cash machine blew after a grenade was thrown.

Guayaquil lived a violent and terrifying Tuesday when armed individuals stormed a television channel, where they took the staff hostage during a live broadcast.

Ecuador is in the grip of an “internal armed conflict” and a “state of emergency” following an unusual wave of violence linked to drug trafficking and a State inefficiency, analysts say.

ef/iff/mem/nta