A fire on a boat in western Ecuador injured two people and destroyed approximately 35 fishing boats on Sunday [1].

The incident represents a significant economic blow to the local fishing community, as dozens of primary work vessels were lost in a single event.

Ecuadorian police said the fire began during welding work being performed on a vessel [1]. The flames spread rapidly across the harbor, consuming a large portion of the fleet. Emergency responders worked to contain the blaze, but the proximity of the wooden and fiberglass boats allowed the fire to jump from one hull to another.

Two people sustained injuries during the fire [1]. Local authorities have not released the specific identities or the current medical status of the victims, though they were reported as injured in the initial police statement [1].

Police said they investigated the cause of the ignition and ruled out a criminal gang attack [1]. The determination suggests the disaster was an industrial accident rather than a targeted act of violence, which has been a recurring concern for security in various regions of the country.

Investigators focused on the welding activity as the catalyst for the spark. The total number of destroyed boats is estimated at about 35 [1]. This loss affects the livelihoods of numerous families who rely on these vessels for daily commercial fishing operations in the western coastal waters.

“A fire on a boat in western Ecuador injured two people and destroyed approximately 35 fishing boats.”

The scale of the destruction highlights the vulnerability of concentrated fishing fleets to industrial accidents. By ruling out gang involvement, police have clarified that this was a safety failure rather than a security breach, though the loss of 35 vessels creates an immediate economic void for the local maritime industry.