Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs.

The penitentiary, located in the southern city of Guayaquil, is the same prison where 119 inmates were killed in late September in the country's worst-ever incident of prison violence.

The government has blamed disputes between drug trafficking gangs for control of prisons for the violence.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-president-dutertes-daughter-to-run-for-vice-president-429093" hreflang="en">Philippines President Duterte's daughter to run for vice president</a>

The latest disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release, governor of Guayas province Pablo Arosemena said in a press conference.

"The context of this situation is that there was no leader of the gang that has this cell block because a few days ago that prisoner was released ... for completing 60% of his sentence," Arosemena said. "Other cell blocks with other groups wanted to subdue them, get inside and have a total massacre."

Videos on social media purportedly posted by detainees overnight showed them begging for help to stop the violence as shots and explosions sounded in the background. Reuters could not independently verify the origin of the videos.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-army-chief-says-accidental-war-can-break-out-between-the-west-and-russia-429026" hreflang="en">Britain's army chief says 'accidental' war can break out between the West and Russia</a>

There has been a wave of disturbances in the South American country's prisons, which house some 39,000 detainees. Incidents in February and July at various prisons left 79 and 22 people dead respectively.

Some of those killed in September at the penitentiary were decapitated or burned, the attorney general's office has said, and dozens were injured.

A total of 11 people were found hung in Penitenciaria del Litoral in October, which authorities have said may have been suicides.

President Guillermo Lasso in September declared a 60-day state of emergency in the prison system, freeing up funding and allowing heightened controls with military assistance.

Police operations since the state of emergency was declared - especially at Penitenciaria del Litoral - have turned up guns, grenades, knives, munitions, cell phones and drugs.

Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs.

Nearly 68 prisoners were killed and a dozen injured in overnight violence at Ecuador's Penitenciaria del Litoral prison, the government said on Saturday, in what has been characterized as fighting between gangs. The penitentiary, located in the southern city of Guayaquil, is the same prison where 119 inmates were killed in late September in the country's worst-ever incident of prison violence. The government has blamed disputes between drug trafficking gangs for control of prisons for the violence. Also read | Philippines President Duterte's daughter to run for vice president The latest disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release, governor of Guayas province Pablo Arosemena said in a press conference. "The context of this situation is that there was no leader of the gang that has this cell block because a few days ago that prisoner was released ... for completing 60% of his sentence," Arosemena said. "Other cell blocks with other groups wanted to subdue them, get inside and have a total massacre." Videos on social media purportedly posted by detainees overnight showed them begging for help to stop the violence as shots and explosions sounded in the background. Reuters could not independently verify the origin of the videos. Also read | Britain's army chief says 'accidental' war can break out between the West and Russia There has been a wave of disturbances in the South American country's prisons, which house some 39,000 detainees. Incidents in February and July at various prisons left 79 and 22 people dead respectively. Some of those killed in September at the penitentiary were decapitated or burned, the attorney general's office has said, and dozens were injured. A total of 11 people were found hung in Penitenciaria del Litoral in October, which authorities have said may have been suicides. President Guillermo Lasso in September declared a 60-day state of emergency in the prison system, freeing up funding and allowing heightened controls with military assistance. Police operations since the state of emergency was declared - especially at Penitenciaria del Litoral - have turned up guns, grenades, knives, munitions, cell phones and drugs.

Ecuador prison violence leaves nearly 68 dead, a dozen injured

At least 68 prisoners have been killed more than 2 dozen injured in new fighting at an Ecuadorean prison. According to the govt officials, the disturbance was set off by a power vacuum following a gang leader's release.

Ecuador: At least 68 people dead in ghastly prison clash

Ecuador on Thursday sought to identify the remains of the 116 inmates killed during a riot at one of its largest prisons earlier this week, the latest bout of violence authorities have linked to gangs vying for control of drug trafficking routes.

Dozens of relatives of inmates at the Penitenciaria del Litoral in the country's largest city of Guayaquil gathered outside a morgue seeking information on loved ones, after the deadliest outbreak of prison violence in Ecuador's history on Tuesday in which 80 people were also injured.

Watch | At least 100 people killed and 52 injured in Ecuador prison

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/at-least-100-people-killed-and-52-injured-in-ecuador-prison-416997/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Police investigators asked family members for photographs of inmates or details of features like scars or tattoos to help them identify bodies.

Police commander Tannya Varela told reporters that the casualty count could rise, as officers were still investigating. Earlier on Thursday, the national police sent 400 officers to regain control of the detention center. Soldiers also entered the prison to maintain order.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-prison-riots-death-toll-crosses-100-416995">Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100</a>

"We have not yet completed the intervention in the penitentiary, so it is possible that there are other bodies inside, and some of the injured could die from their wounds," Varela said.

The violence came after 79 and 22 people died in prison riots in February and July, respectively. Authorities linked the earlier clashes to rival local gangs with ties to transnational criminal groups battling for control over Ecuador's drug trade.

According to Mario Pazmino, a colonel and former intelligence director for Ecuador's army, the clashes have increased and grown bloodier recently as Mexican drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartels, have formed alliances with local gangs.

While not a large drug producer, Ecuador is a major transit hub for cocaine from neighboring Colombia and Peru bound for the United States and Europe, much of it concealed in legitimate container cargo departing from Guayaquil's port, according to a U.S. State Department report from March.

"This presence of drug trafficking is reflected in a permanent fight over pathways and territory from where drugs leave, and that is what is being replicated in the detention centers, as well as cities where score-settling and assassinations take place," Pazmino told Reuters.

Asked on Wednesday night whether this week's clash was linked to drug trafficking, Fausto Cobo, director of Ecuador's Center for Strategic Intelligence, said the violence was "connected with other serious problems."

"This is a problem that goes beyond an issue with the penal system," Cobo told reporters. "It is a threat against the Ecuadorian state."

'THIS CANNOT KEEP HAPPENING'

Outside the morgue in Guayaquil, Paola Moreira awaited news of her 24-year-old brother Bryan, who was set to be released from the Penitenciaria del Litoral in just one month.

"He called me on Wednesday at noon and asked me to please help, that everyone from section five had been killed and only two were alive, but our hands were tied and we could not do anything for him," said Moreira, 26. "So I have come here to wait."

In a statement posted on Twitter, Ecuador's chief prosecutor's office said it was still working on identifying the victims - at least six of whom it said on Tuesday had been decapitated.

Prison overcrowding and underfunding is a major problem across South America and has contributed to riots in recent years in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, as well as Ecuador. President Guillermo Lasso said on Wednesday he would free up funds and send additional security forces to prisons.

"They have killed so many young men, this cannot keep happening," Moreira said.

Ecuador on Thursday sought to identify the remains of the 116 inmates killed during a riot at one of its largest prisons earlier this week, the latest bout of violence authorities have linked to gangs vying for control of drug trafficking routes.

Ecuador on Thursday sought to identify the remains of the 116 inmates killed during a riot at one of its largest prisons earlier this week, the latest bout of violence authorities have linked to gangs vying for control of drug trafficking routes. Dozens of relatives of inmates at the Penitenciaria del Litoral in the country's largest city of Guayaquil gathered outside a morgue seeking information on loved ones, after the deadliest outbreak of prison violence in Ecuador's history on Tuesday in which 80 people were also injured. Watch | At least 100 people killed and 52 injured in Ecuador prison × Police investigators asked family members for photographs of inmates or details of features like scars or tattoos to help them identify bodies. Police commander Tannya Varela told reporters that the casualty count could rise, as officers were still investigating. Earlier on Thursday, the national police sent 400 officers to regain control of the detention center. Soldiers also entered the prison to maintain order. Also Read | Ecuador prison riots: Death toll crosses 100 "We have not yet completed the intervention in the penitentiary, so it is possible that there are other bodies inside, and some of the injured could die from their wounds," Varela said. The violence came after 79 and 22 people died in prison riots in February and July, respectively. Authorities linked the earlier clashes to rival local gangs with ties to transnational criminal groups battling for control over Ecuador's drug trade. According to Mario Pazmino, a colonel and former intelligence director for Ecuador's army, the clashes have increased and grown bloodier recently as Mexican drug cartels, such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion cartels, have formed alliances with local gangs. While not a large drug producer, Ecuador is a major transit hub for cocaine from neighboring Colombia and Peru bound for the United States and Europe, much of it concealed in legitimate container cargo departing from Guayaquil's port, according to a U.S. State Department report from March. "This presence of drug trafficking is reflected in a permanent fight over pathways and territory from where drugs leave, and that is what is being replicated in the detention centers, as well as cities where score-settling and assassinations take place," Pazmino told Reuters. Asked on Wednesday night whether this week's clash was linked to drug trafficking, Fausto Cobo, director of Ecuador's Center for Strategic Intelligence, said the violence was "connected with other serious problems." "This is a problem that goes beyond an issue with the penal system," Cobo told reporters. "It is a threat against the Ecuadorian state." 'THIS CANNOT KEEP HAPPENING' Outside the morgue in Guayaquil, Paola Moreira awaited news of her 24-year-old brother Bryan, who was set to be released from the Penitenciaria del Litoral in just one month. "He called me on Wednesday at noon and asked me to please help, that everyone from section five had been killed and only two were alive, but our hands were tied and we could not do anything for him," said Moreira, 26. "So I have come here to wait." In a statement posted on Twitter, Ecuador's chief prosecutor's office said it was still working on identifying the victims - at least six of whom it said on Tuesday had been decapitated. Prison overcrowding and underfunding is a major problem across South America and has contributed to riots in recent years in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela, as well as Ecuador. President Guillermo Lasso said on Wednesday he would free up funds and send additional security forces to prisons. "They have killed so many young men, this cannot keep happening," Moreira said.

Ecuador seeks to identify remains of 116 inmates killed in prison riot