Palestinians in Rafah tunnel (archives)
Photo: Reuters
5 Palestinians killed in Gaza tunnel collapse
Health official says one person missing in cave-in; collapse said to be caused by heavy winter rain
Palestinian medics say five people were killed when a tunnel under the Gaza border collapsed.
Health official Dr. Moawia Hassanein says another person is missing in the cave-in. He says the collapse was caused by heavy winter rain.
Gazans use tunnels to smuggle in goods that are not available in the territory because of Israel and Egypt's blockade of its borders.
Gunmen also use the tunnels to bring in weapons.
Many tunnels suffered major damage in Israeli bombing raids in an attempt to halt the arms smuggling. Egypt also tries to destroy tunnel entrances on its side of the border.
The latest deaths, which occurred late Saturday or early Sunday brought to 13 the number Palestinians killed this year in tunneling accidents.
