Riot at prison in Ecuador leaves 24 dead

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - A riot Tuesday at a prison in Ecuador’s coastal city of Guayaquil left 24 inmates dead and 48 injured, according to officials.

During the clashes that broke out between rival gangs at the Litoral Penitentiary, five prisoners were beheaded and others were killed with sharp objects, according to a statement by prison authorities.

A large number of police and military units were deployed to the prison to restore order.

Videos shared on social media showed that many prisoners had climbed onto the roof of the prison and gunfire and explosions were heard.

Local media reported that the riot started in wards of members of the “Los Lobos” and "Tiguerones" gangs.

In July, Ecuador’s president declared a state of emergency in the country’s prisons after fighting between rival gangs left 22 inmates dead and dozens injured.

Around 38,000 detainees are currently serving terms at 60 facilities in Ecuador designed for 29,000 prisoners, which sometimes results in riots.

On Feb. 24, at least 80 prisoners died in riots that broke out simultaneously at facilities in three cities.