Conflicting accounts emerge regarding El Inca prison attack in Quito

An investigation is underway following a violent attack at the El Inca penitentiary in Quito on October 22, 2026. The incident involved armed inmates firing upon other prisoners within the facility.

Two primary versions of the event have surfaced in the official case file. One survivor testified that three prison guards opened the cells, allowing armed inmates to enter the observation area and begin shooting. Conversely, a detained security agent, Darío Achig, claims that inmates threatened him with a firearm and forcibly seized his service keys.

To regain control of the prison, authorities mobilized 144 police officers and a military contingent. The investigation continues to determine how the aggressors gained access to the specific area where the victims were held.