A group of armed men attacked a hostel Monday by a well-known beach in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, taking some 30 Argentine tourists hostages for three hours, said police.

The criminal band consisted of seven masked men with weapons, took jewelry, money, cams and other stuffs from the tourists.

The event occurred on Monday early morning in Unicornio hostel on Ferradura Beach.

"They knew the hostel was full and in that time nobody will enter or leave the place. That makes us think they knew well the place," said police chief from Buzios, inspector Jorge Luiz Dias.

Dias added that the criminal could have been helped by employees or guests in the hostel.

Busios is located in the north border of Rio do Janeiro, and it is one of the most famous beaches.

This attack was similar to other ones occurred in two hostels before the Carnival of this year in Rio do Janeiro.

Source: Xinhua