At Least 31 Dead in Ecuador Prison Riot, Many Asphyxiated
A violent outbreak at a prison in the city of Machala in Ecuador’s El Oro province has left at least 31 inmates dead, most of them asphyxiated, and several wounded.
According to prison authorities, 27 of the deceased were found dead by asphyxiation, having “among themselves committed asphyxiation, which caused immediate death by suspension.”
South China Morning Post
Four additional inmates died in an earlier armed riot that broke out around 3 a.m., with dozens injured in the chaos.
What happened
The incident took place early on Sunday at the Machala facility. Rival gangs are believed to have triggered the unrest, though authorities are still investigating to clarify the full sequence of events.
According to the statement released by the prison service, forensic medical personnel were deployed on site to determine how the asphyxiations occurred.
Underlying crisis
Ecuador’s prison system has been under severe strain as it becomes a battleground for drug‑trafficking gangs. Inmates routinely challenge control of facilities, leading to frequent and deadly clashes. Over 500 inmates have been killed in gang conflicts in recent years.
South China Morning Post
The Machala riot underscores how these institutions are increasingly being used as operational centres by organised criminal groups.
What’s next
Authorities in Ecuador will likely face heightened pressure to conduct a transparent investigation, reform the prison system and address the growing influence of gangs behind bars. The Machala incident may prompt national and international scrutiny of how Ecuador manages prison security and the systemic risks posed by incarcerated gang networks
Ecuador Prison Riot: At Least 31 Dead, Many Asphyxiated
A deadly riot at a prison in Machala, Ecuador has claimed at least 31 lives, including dozens asphyxiated. The incident underscores the escalating gang‑violence crisis within the country’s penitentiary system
