Tragic Deaths in Ecuadorian Prison Highlight Gang Violence

Mon Nov 10 2025 17:30:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a disturbing incident, over 30 inmates were found dead in a southern Ecuador prison, raising concerns about escalating gang violence amid overcrowded conditions.

A recent outbreak of violence in El Oro prison, Ecuador, has resulted in the deaths of at least 31 inmates, including 27 who were hanged. This incident follows clashes between rival gangs and highlights the ongoing issues of overcrowding and violence in Ecuador's prison system. Authorities plan to move inmates to a new facility amid calls for improved security and prison relocation.

In a shocking incident, at least 31 inmates have been found dead in El Oro prison, southern Ecuador, with 27 having been hanged, according to officials. The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of increasing violence among rival gangs within the prison. Clashes broke out early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of four prisoners and injuries to over 30 others.

Following reports of violence, security personnel discovered the hanged inmates on the third floor of the facility. Ecuador's prisons have become notorious for overcrowding and violence, leading to numerous deadly riots in recent years.

The prison service, known by its initials Snai, indicated that these altercations originated from plans to transfer some inmates to a newly-built prison. The recent fatalities come shortly after another violent incident in September, where 14 individuals, including a guard, were killed in similar clashes.

Relatives of prisoners have expressed urgent concerns regarding security within the facility, calling for measures to keep rival gangs apart. Residents of Machala, the prison's location, have long petitioned for its relocation due to its central location within the city.

Earlier in the year, President Daniel Noboa disclosed plans for a new maximum-security prison in the province of Santa Elena, named El Encuentro, which is set to open soon and promises enhanced security features.

The gang violence issue has increasingly alarmed authorities, with two prominent gangs, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, now categorized as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the US State Department. This classification emphasizes the significant surge in violent crime linked to prison gangs in Ecuador.