Eight decapitated bodies found near illegal mine in El Carbon, Ecuador
Authorities say the remains of seven men and one woman were buried about two metres deep; forensic tests and identification are underway.
Authorities in Ecuador reported that the decapitated bodies of seven men and one woman were discovered near an illegal mining site in the El Carbon area.
The head of the local judicial police, Pablo Inga, said the remains had been buried at a depth of about two metres, with bound hands and visible signs of violence.
Search and discovery
The case was reported on Saturday after relatives of people who worked at the mine near the village of Huasipamba-Mirador filed missing-person reports. Local authorities alerted provincial institutions and organised a search operation.
Police, members of the armed forces and specialised units took part in the operation. Teams first found a burned vehicle by the road and later located another burned vehicle near the mine. Searchers also noticed an area where the ground appeared to have been recently disturbed; it was there that they discovered the eight bodies.
The victims were taken to the forensic centre in Cuenca for autopsies and identification procedures. Police have opened an investigation into the killings.
Authorities say the deaths come amid a growing security crisis in Ecuador, where criminal gangs fight for control of territory and valuable mining deposits. Illegal gold and copper mining has expanded in recent years, and investigators believe at least four of the victims were residents of the surrounding area.
In recent years Ecuador has also become a major hub for cocaine trafficking, with groups linked to Mexican and Colombian drug cartels active in criminal networks. Since taking office in 2023, President Daniel Noboa has repeatedly declared states of emergency in attempts to curb organised crime.
Photo: EPA-EFE/CARLOS DURAN ARAUJO
