Fifty-five civilians have been killed in a rebel attack in Ituri province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a preliminary count.

Local media reported on Tuesday that rebels from the Alliance for the Development of Congo (ADC) launched an armed attack on several villages in the Djugu area of Ituri province.

The rebels used heavy weapons in the attack, killing 55 civilians, according to a preliminary toll.

The rebels also burned several houses before withdrawing from the area.

Since 2019, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has intensified its attacks in the DRC, killing thousands of civilians and displacing hundreds of thousands.

The rebel group, which has been accused of war crimes by the UN, is also accused of massacres, looting, rape and kidnapping for ransom.