Quito (Ecuador), 12 May (HS): Eight people were shot dead during a birthday party at a bar in Ecuador on Saturday.

Local police said that attackers came in a taxi and two motorcycles and opened fire at the bar in Chanduy, 300 Km southwest of Quito. The victims included five men and three women. The incident occurred in Santa Elena province where gang-fuelled violence is increasing. The province has three seaports, which are often used for smuggling of drugs.

Most of the local gangs work with Mexican cartels. Ecuador witnessed at least 7,600 killings in 2023. So far this year 1,875 people have been killed.

Hindusthan Samachar/ Ajay Mardikar/Manoj