QUITO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and 14 others injured in a riot at a prison in southwestern Ecuador early Monday, according to the National Police.

Gunfire and explosions were reported around 2 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) at the Machala Social Rehabilitation Center in the city of Machala, capital of El Oro province.

El Oro police chief William Calle told local TV network Ecuavisa that 13 inmates and one guard died in the incident. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals.

Calle said most of those killed belonged to Los Choneros, one of Ecuador's most violent groups.

Several inmates escaped during the clashes, Calle said, adding that authorities were working to determine the exact number of fugitives.

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