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.

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.

Rwanda-backed rebels were expanding their presence in eastern Congo after capturing Goma, the region's major city, the UN said Friday, while also expressing concerns over executions it learned were carried out by the rebels in recent days after a major escalation of their yearslong rebellion.