Peru's Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the assailants entered the company premises at 04:00 hours.

The workers are reportedly employees of construction company Skanska, which provides services to the consortium that operates the Camisea natural-gas fields.

The Ministries of Interior and Defense have taken the necessary actions to release the hostages and capture the alleged terrorists, the statement said.

Peru's Deputy Minister of Internal Order, Ivan Vega, and the director general of the National Police, General Raul Salazar, have traveled to the area to personally monitor the situation.

(END) NDP/VVS/EEP