Ecuador prison violence: At least 50 of guards taken hostage

According to officials, more than 50 prison guards and seven police officers have been taken hostage in several jails in Ecuador. 

Two car bombs also went off in the capital Quito, both targeting the country’s prison authority (SNAI). 

There were no injuries from the bombings and at least six people have been arrested. 

Authorities say they believe at least one of the incidents could be retaliation for a police weapons search at one of the country’s biggest jails. 

Ecuador is facing growing violence linked to drug trafficking gangs, which has put a huge strain on the under-resourced and overcrowded prison system.