Ecuador prison gang riots kill scores of people
EDITORS NOTE: RESENDING VIDEO TO REFLECT THE UPDATED NUMBER OF FOUR PRISONS INVOLVED, AND NEW DEATH TOLL ADDED TO INTRO
Scores of people have been killed in simultaneous riots that erupted at four Ecuadorean prisons on Tuesday (February 23).
The government is blaming gang violence and believes it was a concerted action.
Relatives outside were desperate for news.
We just want a list, he says, I just want to know if my brother is alright.
The government says police officers were wounded, but gave no details, and prison officials managed to get out during the riots.
The prisons involved hold about 70% of Ecuador's prison population, according to official statistics.
President Lenin Moreno has tried to control prison violence in Ecuador, declaring a temporary state of emergency for the prison system because of the frequent gang fighting.
