Quito – Corrections officials in Ecuador said eight people were killed and 10 more injured during prison riots on Thursday.
At the Cotopaxi penetentiary, “the death of four persons deprived of liberty” was reported, and another four died at the Pichincha prison, corrections officials said.
More than 500 inmates have been killed in Ecuador’s prisons since 2021.
#Quito #UltimaHora
Un amotinamiento ocurrió en la Cárcel de El Inca al norte de la ciudad, hasta el momento se reportan 8 fallecidos. https://t.co/IQnB9glD83— NotiVirales (@NotiViralesEc) October 22, 2026
Some facilities are under military control, but drug-trafficking gangs challenge authorities from inside prison walls, ordering murders and extortion from behind bars.
Officials said those responsible for the riots have been identified and will be transferred to a maximum security prison, El Encuentro.
The facility was built by the government of President Daniel Noboa for the country’s most wanted criminals.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Source: AFP
