At least two people have been killed and 18 injured in a series of clashes this week between rival criminal rings at the Litoral Penitentiary in the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil, police said Thursday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.
Clashes broke out Tuesday and continued through Thursday after police began the process of transferring 1,002 prisoners from the country's largest prison to other penitentiaries.
In an updated report on the riots, the police said two inmates have been killed and 18 others injured, including six prisoners, nine police officers and three military personnel.
Victor Zarate, commander of National Police Zone 8, which includes the city of Guayaquil, told local media that 700 police officers from tactical units and 470 Armed Forces troops intervened to regain control of the prison.