MILITIA fighters killed at least 55 civilians in an attack on a cluster of villages in north-east DR Congo, local authorities said today.

Armed men from the Co-operative for the Development of Congo (Codeco) militia attacked the Djaiba group of villages, which is also home to a camp for the displaced, in the province of Ituri Monday night, Antoinnette Nzale, the leader of the camp, told reporters. 

She said 55 civilians died but added that the death toll is likely higher, as bodies continue to be retrieved from the burned down houses.