A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after he was fatally crushed by a falling crucifix while live-streaming evening mass.

The shocking accident occurred on Saturday at the Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, some 265km southwest of the capital.

Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was broadcasting the event live from his social media accounts when the mounted cross on the wall behind him fell suddenly, around 30 minutes into the stream.

Graphic footage of the mass, which circulated widely on social media before it was taken down, showed a heavy crucifix hanging behind the altar detaching and falling onto the back of the priest’s head.

Patricio Sánch...