Ecuador increases death toll in prison riots to 79

Deadly fights broke out between rival gang members in three prisons, but authorities say situation is now under control.

The number of inmates killed in riots at three separate prisons in Ecuador this week has increased to 79, authorities said on Wednesday, after they regained control of the facilities. Hundreds of police officers and military personnel were deployed after coordinated fights between rival gangs broke out in the prisons’ maximum-security wings on Monday night. Authorities said the gangs began a battle for leadership within the prison system in December when a leader of Los Choneros, considered the most powerful gang, was killed in a shopping centre several months after being released.