A group of Christchurch students are shaken after being robbed by a gang of armed bandits in Costa Rica.
The Burnside High School students were attacked two days ago while on a school trip.
The children were four days into a mountain trek at the time of the attack.
The armed men snuck up to the group's tents late at night and demanded the student's bags.
Antipodeans, the travel company which organised the trip, told Newshub the attackers were heavily armed.
"Several students and teachers were robbed at knifepoint," said Antipodes chief executive officer Lachlan Bunn.
"A gun was also produced during the robbery,"
Associate principal Andrea Griffin confirmed the terrifying ordeal on Thursday.
"The group was confronted by armed local men. Bags and valuables were taken, although all passports were later recovered, "she told NZME.
Bunn says the students are extremely shaken.
"Thankfully, no one was injured, but as you can imagine, those involved were extremely shaken by the incident. The team have been relocated to the east coast to a pre-booked hotel to rest."
He says the company is discussing with the school and the children's parents whether to bring them home.
"If it is decided to bring them back to New Zealand, our insurance policy will provide coverage for their early return."
