Dead bodies are being left to rot in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, because of a strike by grave diggers over backpay.

Correspondents say no bodies have been buried since Wednesday.

The two-thousand striking town hall staff say they won't go back to work until they are paid wages for the past seven months.

Witnesses say many human bodies are rotting in southern parts of the city, where there's also been a fresh outbreak of fighting between government troops and forces loyal to the former prime minister, Bernard Kolelas.