Overview
- SNAI confirmed that 27 prisoners died by asphyxia in an afternoon incident separate from the earlier riot at the Machala facility.
- Four inmates were killed and more than 40 people were injured in the pre‑dawn disturbance, including at least one police officer.
- Police tactical units entered the prison, regained control and detained several inmates, with local reports citing seven arrests.
- Forensic and investigative teams remain on site to establish the circumstances of the deaths and to confirm final casualty totals.
- Officials link the violence to a reorganization tied to transfers to a new maximum‑security complex, highlighting a wider prison crisis with hundreds of inmate deaths since 2021.