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News > Latin America

Blast in Ecuador, 14 Policemen Injured

  • Police command in San Lorenzo after attack.

    Police command in San Lorenzo after attack. | Photo: @PoliciaEcuador

Published 27 January 2018
Opinion

The police are seeking to determine if the attack was a retaliation to recent anti-crime operations against criminal organizations.

A massive explosion occurred in Ecuador on Saturday morning near the National Police Headquarters, in the northern Pacific province of Esmeraldas, injuring at least 14 police officers.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the explosion, which took place in the city of San Lorenzo, but preliminary evidence suggests that a "car bomb" may have been used to target the police command center.

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Security sources told local newspaper El Comercio they were investigating the attack by irregular forces using a car bomb. While no death were reported several persons were injured, but none of these persons are reported to be in a critical condition.

According to a press release by the Interior Ministry, Anti Narcotics and Special Operations units are on the ground conducting an investigation with the support of Interior Minister Cesar Navas and other state agencies.

Explosion at Police Command | Photo: Angel Velasco

The agents are seeking to determine if the attack was a retaliation to recent anti-crime operations against criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking. San Lorenzo is the third most violent city in Esmeraldas.

So far, the provincial police have determined the explosion was caused by an “explosive artifact of great magnitude,” which generated a 50-meter blast. A fire was registered in the installation’s dining room but was quickly quelled by the fire department.

Car affected by blast | Photo: Angel Velasco

Via official Twitter account, Ecuador’s police shared the message sent by Police Captain General Miguel Ramiro Mantilla “We will not allow the presence of armed groups in our territory.”

The Interior Ministry said via Twitter; they are "conducting a survey of people affected in the area to intervene in the place immediately, activating shelters and provision stations."   

The Police Command is located in a residential area, and it affected housing structures.

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