Residents speak of widespread looting and worse

A doctor at Bukavu's general hospital, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said that people were getting back to their daily business.

But the atmosphere was still tense after this week's violence, he added.

A priest said Wednesday night had seen the worst of the violence with people attacked in their homes.

Robbery and rape

"People in the hospital are scared," the doctor told BBC News Online.

The rebels were just shooting at people, demanding money and taking their mobile phones A doctor in Bukavu

He had counted nine bodies being brought in, all gunshot victims, six of whom were aged 16 or less.

"Some had been shot at point-blank range in confrontations with the rebels," he said.

"The rebels were just shooting at people, demanding money and taking their mobile phones. They are phone mad."

He added that his hospital had treated six people for serious gunshot wounds, two of whom died, and said he had heard of dozens of women and girls being raped by rebels.

Night of terror

A local priest, who also asked not to be named, told BBC News Online that calm had been restored to Bukavu with many small businesses re-opening and fewer rebels on the road.

After the rebels had gone, the poor looted what was left Bukavu priest

"Despite the trauma, people have taken up their daily business," he said.

"People here are peace-loving. They don't want war, they want peace. They want politicians to get on with each other."

He said tensions in the town had peaked on Wednesday night:

"We had a difficult night, a very bad night. It was terrible to live through. People were being attacked and killed in their homes.

Bukavu unrest in pictures Q&A: DR Congo conflict

"The rebels broke windows and kicked in doors and went house-to-house demanding mobile phones, money and jewellery."

He said the rebels had also looted large stores and markets.

"It was systematic," he said. "And after the rebels had gone, the poor looted what was left."

He also heard many reports of rape.

He said the UN needed to do more to "make a bit more of an effort for the good of the local population".

However, the UN has said its peacekeepers in the country are not mandated to stop rebel factions taking control of the town.