Inmate Gangs Ignite Armed Riot and Mass Hangings, Killing 31 in Ecuador Machala Prison

At least 31 inmates were killed after an armed riot before dawn at Machala prison in southwest Ecuador on November 9, 2025.

“Ecuador’s prisons are among the deadliest in Latin America due to overcrowding, corruption and weak control by the authorities”

Al Jazeera

Authorities and local reports say gunfire and explosions erupted around 3:00 am, and residents heard cries for help.

Al Jazeera

Police tactical units later regained control of the prison.

SNAI reported that 27 victims died from asphyxiation or hanging.

Several outlets noted an initial clash that left four inmates dead before 27 more were found hanged.

Injuries were reported as “dozens,” with one account specifying 33 inmates and a police officer were injured.

Forensic teams are investigating how the violence unfolded and why so many were found hanged.

Multiple outlets link the unrest to an attempt to reorganize prisoners for transfer into a new maximum-security facility meant to curb gang influence.

Daily Mail reports the violence was reportedly triggered by this reorganization.

BBC

Outlook India says the unrest was linked to the reorganization.

Evrim Ağacı states it was triggered by a prisoner reorganization linked to plans to transfer inmates.

The New Indian Express is more cautious, saying the unrest may be connected to planned transfers.

SNAI, cited by Sahara Reporters, confirms most deaths were by asphyxiation and says authorities are investigating to clarify circumstances.

All sources situate the riot within Ecuador’s broader prison crisis and gang warfare.

“Two deadly back-to-back prison riots Sunday at a penitentiary in Machala, Ecuador left at least 31 inmates dead and dozens injured, local authorities reported”

breitbart

Al Jazeera emphasizes systemic problems such as overcrowding, corruption, and weak authority, calling the country’s prisons among Latin America’s deadliest.

Daily Mail and Evrim Ağacı highlight the control of rival drug-trafficking gangs and note more than 500 inmates killed in recent years.

Evrim Ağacı describes this Machala riot as among the deadliest incidents.

Breitbart underscores the government’s strong response, with President Daniel Noboa designating more than 20 gangs as military targets.

The president is also seeking closer U.S. cooperation to counter drug trafficking.

Accounts diverge on the sequence and cause of deaths.

Breitbart reports a first incident causing four deaths and dozens of injuries, then at least 27 later found dead from asphyxiation.

ETV Bharat

Outlook India similarly separates the four earlier deaths from the 27 later.

The Straits Times says 27 died from asphyxiation and hanging but provides no further details.

Sahara Reporters notes authorities are investigating.

Daily Mail likewise says the exact cause and details are under investigation.

In contrast, The New Indian Express attributes the 27 deaths to “self-inflicted asphyxiation by suspension”—a claim not echoed by other outlets.

After order was restored, coverage shifted to the aftermath and historical context of the unrest.

“ETV Bharat/international ByAFP Published : November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM IST Quito:Authorities said at least 27 inmates were found dead by asphyxiation Sunday afternoon at an Ecuadoran prison where an armed riot left four others dead and dozens injured in the morning”

ETV Bharat

New Indian Express and Outlook India linked the unrest to upcoming inmate transfers and referenced a previous deadly confrontation at the same prison in late September.

Evrim Ağacı

Daily Mail and Evrim Ağacı framed the event within a years-long crisis marked by over 500 inmate deaths and described the fear spreading through families and communities.

Breitbart expanded the focus to Machala’s broader violence by reporting the discovery of dismembered remains in the city on the same day.