Ecuador road accident leaves at least 9 dead

Two others were injured in the accident, which occurred around 5:00 am (1000 GMT) on the highway connecting the coastal city of Manta and the nearby town of Montecristi, renowned for its Panama hat production.

According to local media, two children aged six and 11 were among the dead.

Traffic accidents are among the leading causes of death in Ecuador.

Official figures show that between January and May 2025 alone, there were 4,756 traffic accidents with 565 fatalities in the South American nation.

There were around 2,300 traffic-related fatalities last year, with over a third attributed to driver inexperience or recklessness.