Daily coverage from across the country, written for the expat community
Results for “accidents”Clear
Primicias reports that Quito canceled the public-private partnership initiative for Ruta Viva and will keep the airport corridor under municipal administration. The road connects Quito with Mariscal Sucre airport and the eastern valleys, including Cumbayá and Tumbaco.
Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health says 25% of all medical visits to the public health system in January 2026 were caused by traffic accidents. In 2025, Ecuador recorded 20,346 traffic accidents, 17,932 people injured, and 2,354 killed. It's not a small problem.
At 4:31 AM on Sunday, April 12, a bus and a light vehicle collided roughly one kilometer from the Olmedo toll plaza on the Via a la Costa in Santa Elena province. The crash killed four people and injured nine. Cause is under investigation.
A Trans Esmeraldas interprovincial bus overturned on the E20 highway during Semana Santa travel, injuring more than 20 passengers. A separate crash in Colta killed 2. The incidents underscore the persistent dangers of Ecuador's highway system during peak holiday travel periods.
Holy Week runs Palm Sunday (March 29) through Easter Sunday (April 5). Good Friday April 3 is the national holiday. Holy Thursday April 2 is NOT a holiday unless the government issues a special decree. Banks, government offices, and most businesses close April 3.
Holy Week runs March 29 through April 5 this year. Good Friday (April 3) is a non-recoverable national holiday. Holy Thursday is NOT a public holiday. Here is what expats need to know about closures, events, and travel.
Semana Santa runs from March 29 to April 5 this year, with Good Friday on April 3 as the national holiday. Expect bank closures, alcohol restrictions, packed beaches, and one of Ecuador's most significant cultural celebrations.
Semana Santa runs March 29 through April 5 this year, with Good Friday (April 3) as the national holiday. Banks close, alcohol sales may be restricted, and beach towns fill up fast. Here is everything expats need to know.
