At least 22 people were killed and several others injured in a fire that broke out early Saturday at a wedding venue in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Axar.az reports, citing Xinhua, that the fire erupted in a building housing a reception hall on the premises in Lingwala commune while a wedding ceremony was underway, Norbert Mushinga, head of the commune, told reporters at the scene. "The provisional death toll stands at 22 and could rise," Mushinga said, adding that property inside the building was also destroyed by the blaze.

Several injured people were taken to hospitals across Kinshasa for treatment, he said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Mushinga said authorities are investigating possible factors, including electrical faults and decorations at the venue.