Ecuador prison uprising leaves over 100 dead

World Thursday 30/September/2021 12:03 PM
By: DW
Ecuador prison uprising leaves over 100 dead
Officials say the police and military operation had regained control of the prison after five hours

Guayaquil: A violent prison riot in the Ecuadorian coastal city of Guayaquil has left at least 100 people dead and 52 injured, prompting military troops to cordon off the compound on Wednesday.

At least six people were beheaded, the national prosecutor's office said.

The clashes took place on Tuesday between armed inmates aligned to rival gangs, known as the "Los Lobos'' and "Los Choneros'' prison gangs, officials said, adding that the riot involved gunfire, knives and explosions.

Bolivar Garzon, who leads SNAI — a national service that provides support to those in conflict with the law — said he did not want to report an official death toll after visiting the site.

"I think we are going to reach 100 dead, I don't want to give an official figure," local news agency NotiMundo cited him as saying.

But the office later wrote in a tweet that over 100 people were killed and 52 injured.

Television images showed inmates firing from the windows of the jail, and the detonation of firearms and explosives.

"Thanks to police entering [the prison], more deaths inside were prevented," said Fausto Buenano, the police chief of Guayaquil city. He said police were attacked with guns.

Police Commander Fabian Bustos told reporters that the police and military operation had regained control of the jail after five hours. He added that several weapons had been seized.