27 prisoners in the port city of Machala, south of Guayaquil, died of suffocation and “instant death by hanging,” according to a statement from prison agency SNAI shared on X.
No other details were provided about the prisoners' causes of death. Earlier on Sunday, SNAI reported four deaths in the same prison in a separate incident that was brought under control by police.
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How many people died as a result of riots in Ecuador?
What were the causes of prisoners' deaths?
Where did these riots take place?
Who is responsible for prison violence in Ecuador?
In recent years, Ecuador has been struggling with a wave of deadly prison riots that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of inmates. President Daniel Noboa's administration, which has declared a tough stance on crime, blames prison violence on rival gangs fighting for dominance and territorial control.
In September, 14 people were killed and 14 injured in riots sparked by gang fighting at the same prison. A few days later, another 17 people were killed in prison riots in the northern city of Esmeraldas, near the Colombian border.
