Unknown assailants have killed Maria Daniela Icaza, the acting warden of Ecuador's largest prison, the Guayaquil city police said.

"Regarding the murder of Acting Director Maria Icaza, our officers are on the ground to begin an investigation that will identify the culprits," the police added on X.

Unidentified persons shot at the car in which she was, reports El Universo newspaper.

The acting warden of Guayas Province Penitentiary No. 1, who also was known as El Litoral, was sitting in the passenger seat.