Six people died on the scene of the crash Thursday night, and a seventh succumbed in hospital on Friday, said Goma mayor Timothee Muissa Kiense.

Witness Aimee Kasirani, a 32-year-old vegetable vendor, said the truck was off-balance and careened uncontrollably into the roadside market, "crushing our colleagues".

Muissa vowed action to prevent a repeat.

"From next week, the police will take care of any person who dares to display merchandise on a public road," he said.

Traffic accidents are common in the vast African country, with poorly-maintained infrastructure and the majority of roads made of dirt.