62 dead in Ecuador’s prisons as riots break out over gang rivalry

In a shocking incident, sixty-two inmates died at prisons in three cities in Ecuador due to fights that broke out  between rival gangs and an escape attempt, the exercise strict control of weapons, ammunition and explosives in the outer perimeters of prisons” 

800 police offices have been helping to regain control of the facilities. Hundreds of officers from tactical units had been deployed since the clashes broke out late Monday, Prison Director Edmundo Moncayo said in a news conference.

It is to be noted that prison riots happen quite frequently in Ecuador. In recent years, the prisons have been overcrowded, structures designed to house 27,000 inmates, now has about 38,000.

There are photos and videos on Social Media showing inmates decapitated and dismembered, lying in pools of blood.

Moncayo said that two rival gangs were engaged in violent clashes, trying to gain “criminal leadership within the detention centers”. The clashes were precipitated by a search for weapons carried out Monday by police officers, he further said.

33 died at the prison in Cuenca in southern Ecuador, 21 in the Pacific coast city of Guayaquil, and eight in the central city of Latacunga, Moncayo added.

Reportedly, 70% of the country’s prison population are housed in the centres where the riots occurred. 

President of Ecuador tweeted that he has given orders to "exercise strict control of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in the outer perimeters of prisons” in response to the riots".