Fighting has escalated sharply in recent weeks in eastern Congo, where rebels have seized key towns and are closing in on the city of Goma, the government's last stronghold in the North Kivu province,

Laden with just the possessions they can carry, thousands of displaced people have reached the outskirts of the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing a rapid M23 rebel advance that has taken more territory than ever before.

The military governor of DR Congo's North Kivu province, Major General Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, died from gunshot wounds in a conflict with M23 rebels. The rebels are advancing towards Goma, escalating violence and risking wider regional conflict.