Security has been stepped up in the Mexican resort of Puerto Vallarta after a group of heavily armed men abducted 10 to 12 people from an upmarket restaurant in the resort yesterday.
It is believed the kidnappers and those abducted were part of criminal gangs.
Tourism officials for the popular holiday resort said they deeply regret the events but confirmed that no tourist was involved or affected.
"As an immediate safety measure, security has been reinforced in Puerto Vallarta to ensure that residents as well as tourists can continue with their normal activities," said the tourist board.
"An investigation is underway and early findings suggest the victims and perpetrators belong to criminal groups from another region of the country, confirming the likelihood of this being an isolated case."
Agustin Alvarez, general director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, added: "As representatives of the tourism community of Puerto Vallarta, a city recognised by the warmth of its people and the ease with which visitors enjoy the destination’s diverse offerings, we do not tolerate violence of any kind.
"We are following the instructions by the different government authorities and encourage the community to do the same; as well as pay attention to information and facts solely communicated by the authorities in charge, in order to dispel false rumors and avoid confusion that do not represent the actual situation in Puerto Vallarta and ensure we do not compromise the security of our residents and tourists."
He said Puerto Vallarta remains fully operational with all tourism services and attractions open.
"We hope that this isolated and unprecedented event has minimal impact in our city and we are committed to provide accurate information from official sources in a timely manner in order to keep our industry, residents and travellers informed and safe," added the statement.
