RAFAH: A Palestinian was killed on Wednesday when a tunnel used to smuggle goods from Egypt into Gaza collapsed, with four others believed trapped under the rubble, a security official said.
The tunnel collapse in the Al-Salam area near Egypt s border with Gaza left one Palestinian dead and the search continues for four others who were inside the tunnel when it collapsed, the official told AFP.
Egyptian authorities are now searching for an opening to the tunnel to try to save the four Palestinians, he said.
Israel says Gaza militants use tunnels under the border to smuggle weapons into the besieged territory, while Palestinians say they are necessary to bring in needed food and other goods because of an Israeli blockade.
The network of tunnels was extensively bombed by Israel during its 22-day war on Gaza over the new year, but many of the tunnels were quickly rebuilt following the offensive. -AFP
