LIBREVILLE: Violence in Gabon's second city claimed 15 lives after last week's disputed presidential election in the oil-rich African nation, far more than the official toll provided by the government, the opposition claimed Wednesday.

"There are already 15 bodies in the morgue at the hospital in Ntchengue, which is full," said former minister Pierre-Andre Kombila, referring to a district in the oil hub of Port-Gentil, which bore the brunt of the violence.

Kombila, a doctor by training, added that the toll could run into "scores."

"There is a rumour that has to be checked: reports of soldiers picking up bodies and throwing them into the sea from helicopters," added Kombila, who backed opposition leader Pierre Mamboundou in the election.

"There have been scores of deaths in Port-Gentil according to several testimonies that I have received," he added.

The government said three people died during riots that erupted after ruling party candidate Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the August 30 vote, succeeding his father and longtime ruler Omar Bongo who died in June.

Gabon's Communications Minister Laure Olga Gondjout hit back at Kombila in a press conference later Wednesday, saying the government figure was based on hospital reports.

"It's really three dead. And they are not deaths due to exchanges with the military," said Gondjout.

She accused Kombila of being partly responsible for the violence by stoking up opposition.

"There are people who have used the media, used some journalists to appeal to hatred, to insurrection. Unfortunately, Gabonese youths are being brought before justice while the leaders are hiding in their homes."

Dozens of people face trial after being arrested during the unrest.

The poorer areas of the city bore the brunt of the violence, with dozens of cars, shops and market stalls burned out by rioters angry at France's perceived influence in bringing another Bongo to power.

The French consulate and a social club for workers of French oil giant Total were torched last week. Dozens of fearful residents fled Port-Gentil aboard motorised canoes at the weekend, but the city was reported to be largely back to normal on Wednesday.

Kombila called for an international inquiry into the violence, which would be allowed to interview "honest members of the security forces" in order to reach the truth.

Government spokesman Rene Ndemezo Obiang said on state television on Tuesday night that "to our knowledge, there have been only three deaths. If the opposition is talking about many dead, then they have to bring us proof. There is no proof."

He ruled out the need for an international inquiry, saying the government was perfectly in control of the situation.

"The work (of an inquiry) must continue to be done at an internal level, therefore there is no situation at the moment which would necessitate international intervention in terms of an inquiry," the spokesman said.

Interior Minister Jean-Francois Ndongou said on Sunday during a visit to the troubled city that he would accept an international inquiry into the violence if necessary.

But he said none of the deaths had been caused by the security forces, who he insisted had been instructed to use only tear gas against demonstrators, and not live bullets.

A coalition of 16 losing candidates have said the election was fraudulent, charging that ballot boxes had been stuffed and the electoral roll was falsely inflated.