The government is blaming gang violence and believes it was a concerted action.

Relatives outside were desperate for news way just want to list, he says.

I just want to know if my brother is all right way.

Government says police officers were wounded but gave no details on prison officials managed to get out during the riots.

The three prisons involved hold about 70% of Ecuador's prison population, according to official statistics.

President Lenin Moreno has tried to control prison violence, declaring a temporary state of emergency for the prison system because of the frequent gang fighting.