At least 17 people were killed in a prison riot in the Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas on Thursday, local media reported.

A suspected rival gang conflict took place in a provincial prison at around 3 a.m. local time, and gunshots and shouts were heard, said local news outlet Primicias quoting Ecuadorian police sources.

The conflict has caused at least 17 deaths, according to the initial police investigation. Local media said there might be other casualties at the prison.

On Monday, at least 14 people were killed and 14 others injured in a riot at a prison in southwestern Ecuador, according to the National Police.

Ecuador has been in the grip of a prison crisis in recent years, with official figures showing around 600 inmates killed in gang-related riots since February 2021.