At least 22 people have been killed in three days of fighting in a town in southeastern Central African Republic between rival armed militias, a member of parliament from the area and a local journalist said on Friday.

The clashes between armed Fulani herders and militia members, began in Zemio, about 1,000 km (620 miles) east of the capital Bangui, late on Wednesday. Gunfire continued the following day and into Friday.

"Already on June 28 there were 22 dead, but things have evolved through yesterday and there are several other people burnt inside houses where it's not possible to have access," lawmaker Dalou Wamboli told Reuters.

Wamboli was speaking in Bangui but had remained in contact with constituents in Zemio during the violence until telephone connections were cut. He then reached residents who fled to neighbouring towns.

The United Nation's peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, confirmed that clashes had occurred but had no information on casualties.

"We've sent some additional troops. We're monitoring the situation and patrolling in the area," MINUSCA spokesman Vladimir Monteiro said.