Residents and business owners in eastern Congo’s second largest city are sitting in wait after a night of loud gunfire marking the ongoing advance of Rwanda-backed rebels.

Panic and looting are sweeping through eastern Congo’s second largest city as residents fled by the thousands to escape the looming advance of Rwanda-backed rebels.

The Rwandan-backed rebels' entry into Bukavu follows their capture of Goma, defying international calls for a ceasefire.