Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have reported that at least 773 people have been killed in Goma, the largest city in the country's east, and surrounding areas within a week due to ongoing clashes with M23 rebels,

AT LEAST 773 people were killed in Goma last week, according to Congolese authorities, as Rwanda-backed rebels captured the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a major escalation of the region’s decade-long conflict.

There has been fierce fighting as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advance towards the second-largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a further escalation in the region's conflict. M23 fighters have been moving south, towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, after capturing the largest city in the region, Goma.

The M23 group, which the United Nations and several nations allege is backed by Rwanda, has made significant territorial gains and vowed to march on the Congolese capital, Kinshasa

The Rwandan-backed armed group M23 moved south as it closed in on a key military airport in DR Congo on Friday, a day after pledging to take the capital Kinshasa and as international criticism mounted.

Authorities confirmed 773 bodies and 2,880 injured persons in Goma's morgues and hospitals, Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya told a briefing in the capital, Kinshasa, adding that the death toll could be higher.

The rebels’ advance into other areas was slowed by a weakened military that recovered some villages from them.