Authorities say the governor of eastern Congo’s North Kivu province has died from injuries sustained in fighting on the front line as M23 rebels close in on Goma.

Governor of Congo's North-Kivu province dies from wounds sustained on frontline as rebels close in on major eastern city.

The governor of Congo's North-Kivu province has died amid escalating tensions as M23 rebels advance towards Goma. Maj. Gen Peter Cirimwami succumbed to injuries sustained while visiting troops on the front line.

Recent clashes between government forces and M23 have forced thousands of residents to flee provincial capital Goma - Anadolu Ajansı

Panic spread in Goma on Thursday, with M23 rebels steadily inching closer to the city in eastern Congo as they battle the Congolese army. Bombs were heard going off in the distant outskirts and hundreds of wounded civilians were brought in to the main hospital from nearby towns and villages.

After seizing the town of Minova on Tuesday, the rebels moved into the town of Sake, around 20 km (12 miles) west of Goma, the provincial capital and home to over 1 million people

The governor of eastern Congo's North Kivu province has died from injuries sustained during fighting on the front line, authorities said Friday, as M23 rebels closed in on the provincial capital.