Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say at least six people have died in a suicide bomb attack

Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo say at least six people have died in a suicide Bomb attack on a crowded eatery in the eastern megacity of Beni.

Police averted the bomber from entering the structure, but he blew himself up at the entrance killing himself and five other people.

Another 13 people were injured.

The officers criticized Saturday's attack on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a militant group said to be linked to the so- called Islamic State (IS).

So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

More than 30 people were celebrating Christmas at the In Box eatery when the bomb went off, two witnesses told AFP news agency.

Children and local officials were reportedly in the eatery at the time.

"I was sitting there," local radio presenter Nicolas Ekila told AFP."There was a motorbike situated there. Suddenly the motorbike took off, also there was a blaring noise."

After the explosion the military officer responsible for the state of exigency in the country's east told residers to return home for their own safety.