This aerial view shows a prison in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, on Thursday. Clashes between rival drug gangs claimed at least 17 lives in the second deadly riot in an Ecuadoran prison in days, penitentiary officials in the violence-wracked South American country said. Antony Quintero/AFP/Getty Images

A violent clash between rival gangs at a prison in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, has left at least 17 dead, according to a statement from the National Police.

“The situation stems from an external order from Los Tiguerones organized crime group to eliminate members of Los Lobos, Los Choneros and prisoners not affiliated with Los Tiguerones,” police said.

Police confirmed that a security operation was deployed in the central area of Esmeraldas prison and warned that the death toll co

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