At Least 6 Killed In Armed Attack In Ecuador's Port City Of Manta

QUITO, Jan 2 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed in an armed attack late Wednesday during New Year's Eve celebrations in the port city of Manta in the province of Manabi on Ecuador's Pacific coast, Xinhua reported, citing local media on Thursday.

The shooting took place at around 11 pm local time outside a home in the Nueva Esperanza neighbourhood of the Eloy Alfaro parish, according to media reports.

Armed men stormed the gathering and opened fire indiscriminately at people participating in the celebrations, killing six and wounding at least a dozen others.

Those killed included a minor, a woman and four men aged between 26 and 45.

The attack caused panic at the scene and prompted the rapid mobilisation of police units and emergency teams.

A state of emergency has been declared in Manabi province, one of the regions hardest hit by a surge in criminal violence.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA