More than 70 dead bodies were found in a church in the village of Maiba in North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Okapi radio station reported.
The people in question were abducted by extremists three days ago in the Lubero district, the media said. Among the dead were women, children and the elderly. The victims were tied up and beheaded.
Authorities believe that fighters from the extremist group "Alliance of Democratic Forces" (ADF). It was formed in Uganda in 1995. In 2003, under attack by Ugandan forces, ADF units retreated and took refuge in the eastern regions of the country, where they regularly carry out attacks on military and civilian targets.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had discussed the ongoing violence in the African country with his counterpart Felix Tshisekedi, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Macron again called for a ceasefire. He also addressed the rebel group M23 (March 23 Movement) in absentia, the world agency said.
The French president called on the rebels to withdraw from the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province.
M23 fighters, supported by forces from neighboring Rwanda, began entering the second largest city in DR Congo yesterday after seizing its strategic Kavumu airport.
Rwanda denies its involvement in the rebels' military actions against Congolese government forces.
Before Bukavu, M23 captured the capital of North Kivu province - Goma.