Ecuador's latest prison riot leaves at least 43 dead

Family members of inmates gather outside the Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas prison after Ecuadorean authorities reported that they managed to put out a riot and recaptured several inmates that had escaped, in Santo Domingo, Ecuador May 9, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna Alarcon

QUITO (Reuters) - Dozens of inmates were killed during a riot early on Monday as rival gangs clashed in a jail in the Ecuadorean city of Santo Domingo, the government said, the latest episode of prison violence that has rocked the South American country.

One hundred and eight prisoners remain at large and 112 have been recaptured, Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo told reporters. Authorities said the riot broke out after a gang leader was transferred to Santo Domingo's Bellavista prison following a court order, which may have caused unrest among prisoners.