An eight-hour hostage drama in a Lisbon bank Thursday took a bloody end when police killed one of the gunmen and seriously injured the other, Portuguese police said Friday.

The two Brazilian robbers found the Banco Espirito Santo in the city centre to be short of cash, and took six bank employees and clients hostage to press their demands for a booty, media reported.

Four of the hostages were soon released while police continued negotiating with the robbers.

The abductors then showed up at the bank entrance, pointing guns at two hostages, among them the bank manager. Police snipers opened fire, killing one of the gunmen and seriously injuring the other.

One of the hostages sustained very slight injuries while the other came away unharmed.

Part of the rescue operation was seen live on television. Internal Administration Minister Rui Pereira congratulated police for their efficiency.