Armed villagers in the northern Democratic Republic of Congo have killed at least 47 policemen who were trying to intervene in ethnic clashes.

"They've been fighting over fishing ponds. We know that there were clashes. There was fighting with machetes and with hunting rifles, but at present we don't know how many dead there are," said Lambert Mende, DR Congo's information minister.

The fighting took place between residents of Iyele and Muzaya villages.

According to Col. Joly Limengo, the police inspector for Equateur province, some of the villagers were ex-combatants from rebel movements and others had been recently released from the army.

Authorities and police confirmed the violence had taken place but could not comment on the condition of the victims.

presstv