At least 31 inmates have been killed and dozens of others wounded following a riot at Machala prison in the southern Ecuadorian province of El Oro, a media report said on Tuesday.
According to Al Jazeera, 27 of the victims were found hanged, while four others died during armed clashes inside the facility. The incident also left 33 prisoners and one police officer injured.
It said investigations were underway “to fully clarify the details of the incident,” while forensic teams were working on identifying the victims and collecting evidence at the scene.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the violence stemmed from rival gang disputes, but it is believed the riot broke out as authorities began transferring several inmates to a newly built high-security prison.
The new facility, ordered by President Daniel Noboa, is expected to open later this month.
hz/ma
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