More than 50 dead and dozens injured in prison riots in Ecuador

Officials said gun and knife battles between rival gangs erupted on Monday night in three different prisons in the country.

Prisons in Ecuador were on high alert after more than 50 people were killed and dozens of others injured in three prison riots, police said on Tuesday. According to authorities, riots erupted in prisons located in three cities Guayaquil, Cuenca and Latacunga. The violence was caused by disputes between rival gangs inside the prisons, officials said. Local media reported that prisoners were killed using guns and knives. Police General Commander Patricio Carrillo said on Twitter on Tuesday that additional security forces were despatched to the prisons to regain control. Carrillo said the riots involved high-security prisoners.