Gaza/Cairo - A Palestinian was killed and four Palestinians were wounded Sunday night in a tunnel explosion under the border between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt used for smuggling fuel, medical personnel and witnesses said. Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that Majid Abu Zuhri, 17, was killed and four others were wounded. The medical rescue team was still searching for a sixth missing person.
The tunnel is one used for smuggling fuel from Egypt to Gaza, witnesses said. The explosion was heard at the other side of the border controlled by Egypt, witnesses said.
Rafah town residents said they saw flames licking out from the tunnel following the explosion that was also heard in the town.
Palestinians have dug thousands of underground tunnels to smuggle goods and fuels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip after Israel imposed a tight blockade on the impoverished enclave more than two years ago.
Gaza-based human rights groups said thatmore than 160 Palestinians have been killed either digging the tunnel or during accidents.
Israel has bombarded hundreds of tunnels and Egyptian authorities have also destroyed dozens of tunnels.
