QUITO, Ecuador (AP) – In a shocking incident off Ecuador's southwest coast, a group of approximately 60 armed men attacked a boat in the troubled El Oro region, resulting in several fatalities and numerous individuals reported missing. Eyewitnesses stated that gunmen opened fire on the boat and launched explosives, leading to the deaths of at least four people, with over a dozen believed to be unaccounted for.
The attack took place on Friday evening, drawing significant media attention due to the escalating violence in the area. Reports from local newspaper Extra revealed that at least two of the deceased have been identified, as authorities work to ascertain the full scope of the incident.
According to an anonymous official from Ecuador's navy, who spoke to The Associated Press, the suspects attempted to flee the scene using three boats but were met by the coast guard, which effectively blocked their escape route. Although one boat managed to escape, the occupants of the other two boats jumped into the water and reportedly disappeared into the nearby mangroves. The official further noted that no arrests have been made, although ammunition was discovered aboard the two abandoned vessels.
This violent occurrence comes just two days after the Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency in El Oro province, which is set to last for two months in response to rising crime rates and violence in the region. President Daniel Noboa, who was re-elected in May, has committed to confronting drug trafficking and violent crime, highlighting the government’s focus on restoring security in Ecuador.
Ecuador, a South American nation with a population of around 18 million, is grappling with a notable increase in violence. The country set a grim record of about 8,000 killings in 2023, up from nearly 7,000 in the previous year. Latest figures from the Ministry of the Interior indicated that there were 4,619 homicides reported from January to June alone, illustrating a worrying trend of escalating violence that has sparked national concern.
The government has yet to make a public statement regarding the recent boat attack, and the situation in El Oro continues to develop as local and national authorities seek to address the crisis. The violent incident underscores the challenges faced by Ecuador as it battles both organized crime and its associated impact on community safety.
