Authorities say the governor of eastern Congo’s North Kivu province has died from injuries sustained in fighting on the front line as M23 rebels close in on Goma.

M23 rebels made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, encircling Goma, which is home to around two million people.

Rebels from the Rwanda-backed M23 have killed a military governor as they advanced through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reports say. Fighting between the M23 and DR Congo's army has intensified since the start of the year, with the rebels seizing control of more territory than ever.

The governor of eastern Congo's North Kivu province has died from injuries suffered during fighting on the front line, a military spokesman said Friday, as M23 rebels closed in on the provincial capital.