Police classify explosion at Ecuador nightclub as 'terrorist', with 2 dead (video)
The incident occurred in the province of Orellana. In addition to the two deaths, nine other people were injured.
247 - Ecuadorian police have designated the explosion that occurred at a local nightclub on Thursday (11) as a terrorist act, as reported by Ecuadorian media. The explosion in the province of Orellana resulted in the death of two people and left nine others injured, as reported by the newspaper Primicias.
The scenario of violent instability has persisted in Ecuador since the beginning of the week, coinciding with the escape of two influential gang leaders – Jose Adolfo Macias Villamar, known as "Fito," from the Los Choneros gang, and Fabricio Colon Pico, from the Los Lobos gang. On Monday, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency due to multiple hostage-taking incidents in various cities and prisons. On Tuesday, he ordered the army to neutralize criminal groups operating in the state.
"The explosion occurred tonight at a nightclub in Orellana, where, preliminarily, we are aware of one fatality, five people injured with burns, and property damage," announced the Ecuadorian Police on their social media, accompanied by a video showing the wreckage of the Dubai nightclub.
Police added that units were mobilized "immediately" to collect evidence and locate those allegedly involved. According to local reports, people were inside the building at the time of the explosion and were rescued by the Fire Department.
On Wednesday, the Armed Forces killed five "terrorists" and made 329 arrests, amid a declared "war" against groups linked to organized crime. The situation remains tense, with authorities trying to restore order amid these violent events.
[With information from the Sputnik and RT news agencies]