At least 15 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, according to four local and provincial officials.

The attack took place from around 7 pm local time (1700GMT) in Bafwakoa village, located in Mambasa territory, Ituri Province, officials said.

Baptiste Munyapandi, the territorial administrator of Mambasa, said authorities had so far confirmed 15 deaths, adding that search operations were continuing and that the death toll could rise.

Authorities attributed the attack to the Allied Democratic Forces, a terrorist group active in eastern DR Congo.

Houses torched, victims abducted

Houses were set on fire, some victims were killed with machetes and others burned in their homes, and two people were abducted, Christian Alimasi, a local customary official in Mambasa territory, said.

ADF attacks on civilians have increased in recent months in parts of Ituri and neighbouring North Kivu province. DRC and Uganda launched joint military operations against the terrorist group in 2021.