Scary riot in prison in Ecuador: 43 people died, more than 100 prisoners escaped

Inmates injured after a riot at Bellavista prison in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Ecuador, were transferred to a medical facility for treatment on May 9 – Photo: AFP

Authorities said the latest riot broke out on May 9 due to a dispute between two rival gangs, Los Lobos and R7, inside the Bellavista prison in Santo Domingo de los Colorados.

The state prosecutor’s office tweeted: “Currently 43 inmates have died and the situation is evolving complicatedly.”

Take advantage riotMany prisoners escaped from prison.

According to police chief Fausto Salinas, 108 people are currently missing (suspected to have escaped) and another 112 escaped prisoners have been recaptured.

Authorities in Ecuador have activated security procedures to prevent “disruptive acts”.

Injured prisoners were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

Family members of prisoners detained at Bellavista prison are now gathering in large numbers in front of this prison to seek information about the safety of their loved ones.

Relatives of prisoners detained at Bellavista prison in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Ecuador, gather to ask for information about their relatives on May 9 – Photo: REUTERS

Mr. Salinas said “200 police, 200 military personnel and law enforcement are on their way” to Bellavista prison to restore order.

Bloody prison riots are common in Ecuador.

From February 2022 to present, about 350 prisoners have died in 5 different riots. April 2022, at least 20 inmates died in El Turi prison in Cuenca, southern Ecuador due to riots.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso says the problem in prisons reflects the situation outside of society, where drug cartels compete for territory.

Authorities said they would search for weapons hidden by inmates and transfer the ringleaders to another prison.