One dead and several shot in Guayaquil airport attack as two teenagers detained

One man has been killed and several others shot in a targeted attack at Ecuador’s Guayaquil airport, with two teenagers aged 15 and 16 detained by security officials in connection with the incident

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A shocking attack has unfolded at an international airport, leaving travellers caught in the crossfire and at least one person dead.

Footage from inside Ecuador’s José Joaquín de Olmedo airport has begun circulating online, with disturbing scenes showing complete chaos as distraught relatives are seen tending to the injured and deceased.

Highly graphic video footage has emerged alongside an eyewitness account on social media, describing a “heavy shootout” inside the airport at Guayaquil with “several people shot”. According to local reports, one man lost his life in the attack on Wednesday (June 17) near the entrance to the international airport.

It is believed the assault was part of a targeted assassination attempt.

According to initial reports, the victim – thought to be the intended target – had just touched down at the Ecuadorian airport alongside his wife when he was attacked. The injured survivor has since been rushed to hospital for treatment.

Ecuadorian Home Secretary John Reimberg issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter) confirming that two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, had been detained by security officials in connection with the airport attack. It is understood the pair were found to be carrying two firearms at the time of their arrest.

A source within Ecuador’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed to respected local news agency PRIMICIAS that two arrests had been made following the attack, with the pair apprehended in the car park of the airport terminal. The attack comes just 24 hours after the South American country declared a state of emergency across 10 provinces in Ecuador, following a surge in gang-related violence and organised crime.

All flights to and from the airport have been temporarily halted, with Ecuador’s Home Secretary confirming that the area remains under lockdown.