12 killed in riot at Ecuador's largest prison

(Patria) - A new wave of violence in Ecuador's largest prison has killed 12 people and injured three, Europa Press reported.

The unrest occurred at the Litoral prison in the city of Guayaquil, and the national prison service announced that the situation is now under control and security protocols have been re-established, Bloomberg reports.

According to the prison administration, the violence began on Wednesday when six hanged inmates were found.

On Thursday, three guards were shot dead during a lunch break in the middle of the prison.

Ecuadorian prisons have become hotspots of violence, with several hundred people killed over the past year.

In November, eight inmates were killed at the Inca prison in the city of Quito.