Mexico gang abducts group from Puerto Vallarta restaurant

Heavily armed men in Mexico have abducted what various news sources report to be between 10 to 16 people who were dining in a restaurant in the popular seaside resort of Puerto Vallarta.

International reports say the hostages were taken away in two big utility vehicles.

Police in the western state of Jalisco are reportedly trying to locate four women who either escaped or were set free by the gang.

The motive for the attack, which happened at 01:00 Mexican time (08:00 CET) on Monday, is unclear.

"Seven or eight armed men stormed the restaurant and told the customers to lie on the ground. We don't really know what happened after that," said Puerto Vallarta's Security Commissioner Jesus Jose Rodrigo Campoy.

Security guards apparently ran away as they saw the gang approaching the restaurant, El Informador newspaper reported.