8 killed, 3 injured in nightclub shooting in western Ecuador

QUITO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed and three others injured Sunday when a group of armed gunmen opened fire on a crowd outside a nightclub in Santa Lucia, a city in Ecuador's western province of Guayas, local media reported.

The armed gunmen arrived at the nightclub early Sunday in two cars and opened fire on those present, according to a media report.

Police said one of those killed, Jorge Urquizo, was the brother of the city's mayor, Ubaldo Urquizo.

The province of Guayas has seen a sharp rise in violent crime, driven largely by gang activity.

On Aug. 6, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency for 60 days in four provinces, including Guayas and Manabi, citing serious internal unrest. ■