AKIPRESS.COM - At least 50 people have been killed after a train derailed in Congo overnight, the country's ministry has said, Sky News reports.

Minister Steve Mbikayi said the accident happened at around 3am local time in the town of Mayibaridi in the southeastern province of Tanganyika.

He said the derailment also injured 23 others and the toll may climb as people are still under the train and must be rescued.

The government is sending rescue workers to the scene.

The cause of the accident is not yet known, but there are often derailments due to the cost of maintaining railways and trains. 

Workers from the national railway company claim they have several years of unpaid wages.

Mr Mbikayi said on Twitter: "Speaking for the government, I present my condolences to the families affected".