Quito, Ecuador – A violent armed attack at a hospital in Ambato, Tungurahua province, Ecuador, caused chaos and panic on Saturday, March 9th. Criminals stormed the medical facility in an attempt to free a prisoner, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others.

The incident, which occurred approximately 153 kilometers from the capital city of Quito, has shocked the nation. The armed assailants entered the hospital and engaged in a shootout with military personnel who had been alerted by the ECU 911 Integrated Security System.

Tragically, a 15-year-old girl, who was near the criminal group, was struck by a stray bullet and later found dead in a sinkhole, according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Air Force.

In response to the situation, the National Police activated Code Plata, a hospital emergency protocol designed to protect medical staff and patients during such incidents, which have become increasingly common in the South American country.

The attempted escape triggered a large-scale operation involving more than 80 police officers and military personnel, who conducted searches throughout the city. During the operation, another deceased individual, believed to be a member of the Los Lobos gang, was discovered.

Following a confrontation between security forces and suspected gang members, the authorities successfully recaptured the escaped prisoner, who remains hospitalized.

Ecuador is currently grappling with a severe security crisis, and violent incidents have escalated in recent months. The country has recorded over 1,000 homicides since the beginning of the year, despite the implementation of states of emergency and other measures, including military deployments, by President Daniel Noboa's government in an effort to combat organized crime.