DID Press: A powerful explosion occurred near the prison in Machala, El Oro province, southern Ecuador, killing at least nine, according to reports. The blast took place just one building away from the prison complex, and local media reported that the victims’ bodies were found on the prison’s ground floor.
Ecuavisa reported that the explosion may have been intended to mislead police forces approaching the area to assess the situation. Authorities said that most of the deaths were caused by asphyxiation.
The Machala prison has previously experienced deadly incidents, including two massacres on 10 November that left 32 inmates and two police officers dead, while 33 others were wounded.