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

Relatives outside were desperate for news way.

Just want a 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 and prison officials managed to get out during the riots, the prisons involved told about 70% of Ecuador's prison population, according to official statistics.

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