Army and other sources said two police officers and one rebel were killed in the assault on Kakwangura central prison, in North Kivu province.

About 50 of the escapees were recaptured.

Fighters of the ADF, a group linked to the Islamic State group, are being blamed for the jailbreak, which reportedly freed a rebel leader.

One report said local people stoned to death three ADF fighters.

The group has killed thousands in the eastern DR Congo.