Armed Attack in Duran City, Ecuador Leaves 6 Dead and 6 Injured

The Office of the Attorney General of Ecuador reported on May 15th, local time, that an armed attack occurred in Duran City, southwest of Ecuador's Guayas Province on the evening of May 14th, resulting in at least 6 deaths and 6 injuries.

It is reported that the attack took place in a residence in Duran City, where the attackers invaded and opened fire on a crowd attending a birthday party. Preliminary reports indicate that the victims had no criminal records. The Office of the Attorney General stated that relevant departments have launched a preliminary investigation and initiated legal proceedings.

Due to the rising homicide rates caused by organized criminal activities, Duran City has been identified by the Ecuadorian police as one of the most violent areas in the country. According to official statistics, the homicide rate in Duran City was 145.43 cases per 100,000 residents in 2023. As of May 7th, there have been 177 homicide cases in Duran City this year, compared to 44 cases during the same period in 2023.