DR Congo munitions dump blast kills five

At least five people have died when lightning triggered a huge blast in a military munitions dump in a city in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

"Several losses of human life have been reported" in the explosion in the central city of Mbuji-Mayi, government spokesman Lambert Mende said in a brief statement.

Regional governor Alphonse Ngoy Kasanji told state television: "A partial toll gives five deaths."

"There was major damage," he added, explaining that several houses were destroyed.

Mende earlier confirmed that lightning had ignited a fire in the munitions dump and set off an explosion but he was unable to provide a death toll.