Gunmen used military tactics in Ecuadorean kidnapping

The New Zealander kidnapped in northern Ecuador was snatched by dozens of heavily armed gunmen wearing military fatigues.

Nelson man Dennis Allen Corrin, aged 52, was taken on Thursday after the masked kidnappers stormed oil camps in the El Coca jungle region, 240km southeast of the capital Quito.

Details of the abduction of Mr Corrin and nine oil workers emerged after one of the group was freed.

The Ecuadorean technician said some of the 40 kidnappers had their faces covered by green bandannas.

All except two who were Ecuadoreans spoke with Colombian accents, he said. "They were very young ... They carried advanced military armaments and they did not rob us of our belongings."

Mr Corrin's sister, Yvonne Burns, said last night that not having much information was hard for the family. Their elderly parents were not well and were feeling the strain.

Mr Corrin's wife, Marguerite, was in daily contact with his employer, Erickson Air Crane, and New Zealand officials.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff appeared optimistic yesterday that Mr Corrin would not be harmed.

"The hallmarks of this operation is that it is professional. That offers some reassurances, given the fact that people who have been taken as hostages are regarded as valuable commodities."

On Friday, oil companies evacuated 132 employees from the region.

Soldiers found the helicopter used by the gunmen to flee with their captives but there was no sign of the kidnapped men.

The Ecuador Government said the kidnappers were members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, but that group has denied responsibility.

- AGENCIES, STAFF REPORTER

Herald Online feature: Kidnapped in Ecuador