At least 5 people dead after huge explosion in Guayaquil

(CNN Spanish) — At least 5 people died this Sunday and 16 are injured after an explosion in Cristo del Consuelo, in Guayaquil, reported the National Risk and Emergency Management Service of Ecuador.

The explosion, which occurred in the early morning hours, destroyed 8 homes and 2 cars, according to reports from the authorities. disclosed on Twitter.

Guayaquil firefighters attended the emergency, and it is still formally unknown what caused the explosion.

Credit: MARCOS PIN/AFP via Getty Images

However, just hours after the incident, the Minister of the Interior, Patricio Carrillo, said on his Twitter account that it could have been an attack with explosives.

“Organized crime mercenaries, who have drugged the economy for a long time, now attack with explosives,” he said.

Organized crime mercenaries, who have long drugged the economy, now attack with explosives. It is not a problem of @PoliceEcuador. It is a declaration of war on the state. Either we join together to face it or the price will be even higher for society. https://t.co/CUbVqrU2QB

– Patricio Carrillo (@CarrilloRosero) August 14, 2022

Authorities are expected to provide more information about the explosion in Guayaquil at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

Credit: MARCOS PIN/AFP via Getty Images

So far the identity of the fatalities and the injured is unknown.

valentina González contributed to this report.