Nicaragua reporter shot dead during live telecast, video shows him falling to ground | World News - Hindustan Times
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Nicaragua reporter shot dead during live telecast, video shows him falling to ground

Reuters, Managua | By
Apr 22, 2018 05:42 PM IST

The shot ended Angel Gahona’s commentary, sending him tumbling down the steps in front of the building. He then lay prone as people screamed his name and rushed to help, the footage showed.

A reporter was shot and killed during a live broadcast from an area of Nicaragua roiled by violent anti-government protests this week, local media reported on Saturday night.

A protester falls after getting shot by a rubber bullet during demonstrations against government's reforms in Managua.(AFP File Photo)
A protester falls after getting shot by a rubber bullet during demonstrations against government's reforms in Managua.(AFP File Photo)

The man, identified in Nicaraguan media as Angel Gahona, was reporting live in the town of Bluefields in the country’s southern Caribbean coast, when a shot rang out and he fell to the ground bleeding in the head, video footage showed.

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Gahona was describing a damaged cash machine while videoing with his phone as a cameraman filmed behind him. Local newspaper El Nuevo Diario said he was broadcasting live on Facebook.

The shot ended his commentary, sending Gahona tumbling down the steps in front of the building. He then lay prone as people screamed his name and rushed to help, the footage showed.

Demonstrators shout next to a burning barricade as they take part in a protest in Managua, Nicaragua. (Reuters Photo)
Demonstrators shout next to a burning barricade as they take part in a protest in Managua, Nicaragua. (Reuters Photo)

Neither authorities in Managua, nor Lissett Guido, a spokesperson for the Red Cross in Nicaragua, were immediately able to independently confirm details of the incident, which quickly spread onto national, international and social media.

Nicaraguan media said Gahona, who was described as a journalist from the area, died from his injuries.

It was not clear who had fired the shot. Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa quoted another journalist as saying only police and groups fighting the protesters were armed there.

Students clash with riot police agents close to Nicaragua's Technical College during protests. (AFP Photo)
Students clash with riot police agents close to Nicaragua's Technical College during protests. (AFP Photo)

Before the incident, the Red Cross said at least six people had died since protests began on Wednesday against government plans to increase worker contributions and lower pensions, causing a crisis for President Daniel Ortega.

Local human rights groups reported that as many as 25 people had died by Saturday. Guido of the Red Cross could not confirm any new total, saying only that she was aware of more deaths.

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