A landslide killed at least 19 people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, residents and local officials in the region said.

The disaster occurred in the late morning in the village of Bulwa, in North Kivu’s Masisi territory, according to Chadrack Mbukanirwa Ndibanja, one of the village leaders.

He said at least 19 people had died in the landslide, with the search for more victims due to continue on Monday.

Alphonse Mushesha Mihingano, a local administrator, confirmed that 19 bodies had been retrieved but emphasised that the death toll was provisional.

He said around 25 mothers, with their children, had been doing laundry in a stream at the foot of a mountain when ground gave way, burying some of them.

Bulwa resident Musafiri Balume gave a similar account, saying he had lost a sister in the landslide, which occurred during heavy rains.