X025-ECUADOR ATENTADO EN GUAYAQUIL

STORY: Surveillance footage released by authorities showed a car engulfed in flames moments before it exploded outside a shopping mall in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city on Tuesday (October 14).

The explosion killed one person and injured several others, the country's prosecutor's office said.

A second vehicle containing explosives was found nearby, but did not detonate and was immediately neutralized, Interior Minister John Reimberg said, adding that police were carrying out controlled detonations and collecting evidence.

"The devices were professionally manufactured by criminal groups aiming to sow chaos," Reimberg said in a post on X.

Authorities urged residents to stay away from the area while investigations continued. Guayaquil is one of the most violent cities in Ecuador.

Reuters was able to confirm the location as buildings and roadmap layout match file and satellite images, as well as corroborating footages of the explosion. Date was confirmed by the time stamp on the footage and official statements.

The explosion follows a similar incident last month, when a vehicle detonated outside the city's regional jail. No injuries were reported in that case. Last week, President Daniel Noboa's car was attacked by protesters with rocks, cracking windows as the vehicle sped past.