17 killed, 11 injured in Ecuador bar shooting

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 17 people, including a child, have been killed and 11 others injured in a mass shooting at a bar in Ecuador, according to media reports.

The attack took place on Sunday night in the small town of El Empalme, located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Guayaquil in the coastal province of Guayas, Al Jazeera reported.

According to police, groups of armed men in two trucks opened fire on the bar using pistols and rifles. The incident left at least 11 people wounded, with some reports suggesting the number could be as high as 14.

Ecuador’s Attorney General confirmed that more than 40 shell casings were recovered from the scene, underscoring the intensity of the attack.

The incident highlights the growing concerns over violent crime in the South American nation.

hz/sa