Multiple explosions rock Quito downtown in suspected car bomb attack
Thursday, August 31st 2023 - 07:15 UTC
Images from the scene show a burnt car and a nearby cylinder that is believed to be a gas cylinder.
A car bomb, believed to be loaded with two gas cylinders and dynamite sticks, caused multiple explosions in a commercial area of Quito on Wednesday night. The event is generating concern due to the ongoing climate of violence in Ecuador.
Initially, the Ecuadorian National Police stated that it was a fire in a vehicle. However, General Pablo Ramirez later informed journalists that it was a presumed attack due to the explosive elements in the car bomb. Fortunately, the explosions did not result in any casualties.
Six individuals, including five Ecuadorians and a Colombian, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the car bomb attack. Some of them have previous records for crimes such as robbery, extortion, and murder. Both the car that exploded and the vehicle used by the detainees had been reported as stolen.
Link to tweet
9:27 PM · Aug 30, 2023
Multiple explosions rock Quito downtown in suspected car bomb attack
Thursday, August 31st 2023 - 07:15 UTCFull article0 comments
General Ramirez attributed the attack to organized crime in response to a series of prisoner transfers that occurred on the same day.
The Municipality of Quito stated on social media that the incident is currently under investigation by specialized police units. The Explosives team of the Intervention and Rescue Group (GIR) is on site to determine the circumstances of the explosion.
Images from the scene show a burnt car and a nearby cylinder that is believed to be a gas cylinder.
Last year, there were several car bomb explosions in the port city of Guayaquil, leading some to speculate that this could be a similar attack in the capital city of Quito.
More:
https://en.mercopress.com/2023/08/31/multiple-explosions-rock-quito-downtown-in-suspected-car-bomb-attack