QUITO, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed on Sunday in an armed attack in western Ecuador's Pacific Coast province of Manabi, one of the country's most violent regions, said the National Police.

The attack occurred along the boardwalk by the beach in the municipality of Puerto Lopez, said Manabi's police commander, Wladimir Acurio.

Among the fatal victims was a two-year-old girl, and three others were wounded in the attack, according to the official.

The attackers opened fire on a sports field located across from the beach, in a busy area lined with fish stalls and other businesses.

According to the National Police, the violence is linked to disputes between organized crime groups.

In response to the wave of violence, the police force stepped up security and patrols in Puerto Lopez, deploying personnel from the Special Operations Group, the Special Mobile Anti-Narcotics Group, and the Public Order Maintenance Unit.

The government declared Manabi to be under a state of emergency in August in response to spiraling crime.

In January 2024, President Daniel Noboa said Ecuador was engaged in an "internal armed conflict" with organized criminal rings involved in drug trafficking. ■