Nearly three thousand people have been killed in the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the United Nations, after the provincial capital was captured by rebels following days of fierce fighting with the Congolese army.

The M23 rebel group have captured the city of Goma in the eastern DRC in a major escalation of a drawn-out conflict.

United Nations (UN), and partner organizations have reported that 700 people were killed during the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels’ insurgency in Goma City, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Residents and business owners in eastern Congo’s second largest city are sitting in wait after a night of loud gunfire marking the ongoing advance of Rwanda-backed rebels

The Rwandan-backed rebels' entry into Bukavu follows their capture of Goma, defying international calls for a ceasefire.

M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, continue their advance in South Kivu province after capturing Goma. Local sources report that the group has seized a strategic airport. Meanwhile, the UN continues to raise alarms over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern Congo.