At least 20 people were killed and the fate of several others is unknown due to the landslide that occurred yesterday Sunday in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congothe authorities of the African country announced today.

The victims, all women and children, were swept away by a landslide near a river in Bolowa district, where they had gathered to wash clothes and cook utensils, a local official said, estimating that more bodies would be found buried in the mud in the coming hours.

The search and rescue operation continues to locate survivors, assured a representative of the governor of North Kivu province.