Authorities: Prison Riots in Ecuador Leave 62 Dead

Authorities: Prison Riots in Ecuador Leave 62 Dead
Tear gas rises from parts of Turi jail where an inmate riot broke out in Cuenca, Ecuador, on Feb. 23, 2021. Marcelo Suquilanda/AP Photo
|Updated:

QUITO, Ecuador—Sixty-two inmates have died in riots at prisons in three cities in Ecuador as a result of fights between rival gangs and an escape attempt, authorities said Tuesday.

Prisons Director Edmundo Moncayo said in a news conference that 800 police officers have been helping to regain control of the facilities. Hundreds of officers from tactical units had been deployed since the clashes broke out late Monday.