Ecuador TV hostage recounts 'surreal' armed takeover

STORY: Gunmen stormed a studio at public broadcaster TC on Tuesday (January 9) afternoon, carrying long-range guns, grenades and dynamite, part of a wave of violence that has prompted President Daniel Noboa to name 22 gangs as terrorist organisations to be targeted by the military.

Images from the channel's live feed, which remained on air for about 20 minutes, shocked the country and made headlines around the world.

Journalist Jose Luis Calderon, 47, was in the studio as his colleagues led a broadcast around 2 p.m. local time, when he heard yelling, shots and people running outside in the hallway.

The apparent escape of Los Choneros leader Adolfo Macias from prison over the weekend contributed to Noboa's declaration of a state of emergency on Monday (January 8).