A deadly prison riot in southwest Ecuador has marked one of the country’s most violent incidents this year, leaving at least 31 inmates dead, according to the National Service for Comprehensive Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI). The unrest erupted at a prison in the coastal city of Machala, triggering an urgent response from authorities and raising renewed concerns about security inside Ecuador’s correctional facilities.

SNAI reported that most victims died from asphyxiation, while others were found dead under circumstances still under forensic review. Investigators stressed that conclusions will only be made once all evidence is examined. The violence reportedly began around 3:00 a.m. local time, with nearby residents describing gunshots, explosions, and desperate screams echoing from within the prison walls.

Elite tactical police units were deployed and eventually regained control of the facility. As operations unfolded, officials confirmed additional fatalities beyond the initial reports. Dozens of inmates were injured during the riot, along with one police officer. While authorities have not confirmed the involvement of rival gangs, the prison had recently undergone internal restructuring, a process that has historically sparked violent clashes.

The Machala riot highlights a deeper crisis within Ecuador’s prison system, which has been increasingly infiltrated by organized crime. Since 2021, more than 500 inmates have died in prison-related violence, much of it linked to drug-trafficking groups battling for control. Once considered relatively safe, Ecuador now faces escalating drug-related instability, with prisons emerging as dangerous flashpoints in a nationwide security struggle.