Fireball at Mall del Sol: Deadly Car Bomb Rocks Guayaquil in Night of Chaos

A car bomb exploded near the Mall del Sol shopping center in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday evening, killing at least one person and injuring multiple others, according to local authorities and witnesses.

The blast occurred around 8 p.m. Eastern time outside the Mall del Sol, a bustling commercial center in northern Guayaquil, when a pickup truck parked on a nearby street detonated, scattering debris and damaging surrounding vehicles and buildings. Eyewitness accounts and initial reports described the vehicle as being engulfed in flames moments before the explosion, with security footage capturing the moment of the blast.

The explosion took place near the mall's parking area and adjacent to offices belonging to the Nobis Group.

The incident prompted widespread panic among shoppers and passers-by in the area.

Ecuadorian officials, including Guayaquil's governor, Humberto Plaza, labeled the attack as an act of terrorism and pledged to track down those responsible. Police quickly cordoned off the site to facilitate an investigation, while firefighters and emergency responders arrived to manage the scene and assist the injured.

Traffic was closed in the vicinity as authorities worked to secure the area. The United States Embassy in Ecuador issued a security alert advising American citizens to avoid the area around the Mall del Sol amid the ongoing probe.

No group had claimed responsibility for the bombing, which comes amid a surge in organized crime and gang-related violence in Ecuador, particularly in Guayaquil. Videos circulating on social media depicted the intensity of the blast, including footage of the truck in flames prior to detonation and scenes of the immediate aftermath showing smoke and scattered debris.

Officials indicated that casualty figures could be updated as the investigation continues.