Ecuador prison violence: Dozens of guards taken hostage

More than 50 situation guards and 7 constabulary officers person been taken hostage successful respective jails successful Ecuador, according to officials.

Two car bombs besides went disconnected successful the superior Quito, some targeting the country's prisons authorization (SNAI).

Nobody was wounded successful the bombings and astatine slightest six radical person been arrested.

The authorities judge astatine slightest 1 of the incidents could beryllium retaliation for a constabulary hunt for weapons astatine 1 of the country's biggest jails.

Ecuador's Interior Minister, Juan Zapata, said the authorities were taking enactment but did not springiness further details.

"We are acrophobic astir the information of our officials," said Mr Zapata.

Hours earlier, a weaponry targeted a gathering that had formerly been utilized by the SNAI successful Quito. The 2nd detonation targeted the agency's headquarters.

Police said the aboriginal onslaught was carried retired utilizing a conveyance that had been rigged with explosives.

Quito Mayor Pabel Munoz said determination were besides grenade explosions successful the metropolis during the night.

Ecuador is facing increasing unit linked to cause trafficking gangs, which has enactment a immense strain connected the under-resourced and overcrowded situation system.

Hundreds of inmates person been killed successful deadly fights successful Ecuador's overcrowded jails successful caller years.

On Wednesday, hundreds of constabulary officers and soldiers carried retired a hunt for weapons and explosives successful Cotopaxi jailhouse successful the confederate metropolis of Latacunga arsenic portion of efforts to forestall further violence.

"The measures we person taken, particularly successful the situation system, person generated convulsive reactions from transgression organisations that question to intimidate the State," said Ecuador's President, Guillermo Lasso.

"But we are steadfast and we are not going to spell backmost connected the nonsubjective of capturing unsafe criminals, dismantling transgression gangs and pacifying the country's prisons."