A violent prison riot in southwest Ecuador has left at least 31 inmates dead, making it one of the country’s deadliest prison incidents this year. The unrest broke out at a facility in the coastal city of Machala, according to Ecuador’s national prisons agency, SNAI, which has launched an urgent investigation.

Authorities said most victims died from asphyxiation, while other causes of death are still under forensic review. The violence reportedly began around 3:00 a.m., with nearby residents describing gunfire, explosions, and screams coming from inside the prison, signaling a severe loss of control during the early hours.

Elite tactical police units were eventually deployed and regained control of the facility. As the situation unfolded, officials confirmed additional fatalities beyond initial reports, as well as dozens of injured inmates and one wounded police officer. While no group has been officially blamed, the prison had recently undergone a reorganization process that may have heightened tensions.

The riot underscores Ecuador’s broader prison crisis, where gang influence and organized crime have fueled escalating violence. Since 2021, more than 500 inmates have been killed in prison-related incidents nationwide, turning penitentiaries into flashpoints of the country’s growing struggle with drug-related crime and internal instability.