India, Feb. 2 -- India on Sunday urged its citizens living in Bukavu in Congo to move to safer locations by "whatever means available" as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels closed in on the city.

UN officials said last week that M23 rebels and Rwandan forces were about 60 km north of Bukavu and were quickly moving towards the city. The M23 rebels captured the eastern city of Goma last week, with more than 770 people killed in the fighting.

An updated advisory from the Indian embassy in Kinshasa said there were reports of M23 rebels being 20 km to 25 km away from Bukavu.

"Given the security situation, we once again advise all Indian nationals residing in Bukavu to immediately depart to safer locations by whatever means available while the airport...