QUITO, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed Wednesday in an armed attack in Ecuador's southern province El Oro, the National Police reported.

The victims were intercepted when travelling in their vehicle by unidentified assailants and struck by multiple gunshots in a rural area of the Arenillas municipality, according to preliminary reports.

Four bodies were found inside the vehicle, with the fifth in nearby brush, local media reports said.

The shooting added to a surge of violence in El Oro, which has seen the highest increase in violent deaths across the South American country so far this year, with 185 homicides documented through February.

Due to rising crime in the province, a night curfew is expected to be imposed from March 15 to 30 under a government decree. ■