SAA event in Ecuador on Thu 8th October 2026

A total of five people were killed during an armed attack on a fishing vessel sailing off the coast of El Oro province in southern Ecuador. The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026, when several men traveling in speedboats intercepted the fishing boat and opened fire on those aboard. The vessel managed to return to Posorja—a rural parish of Guayaquil—carrying five bodies and one wounded survivor. Initial investigations point to a suspected maritime robbery, although authorities have not yet publicly identified those responsible. The attack occurred around 2:00 a.m., while part of the crew was resting and the vessel was in waters near Puerto Bolívar, in the Machala canton. The attackers arrived in speedboats, boarded the fishing vessel, and attempted to seize belongings and valuables. Gunfire during the incident resulted in the deaths of five people and left another person wounded.