Two Palestinians die in tunnel collapse - medics

GAZA, April 8 (Reuters) At least two Palestinians were killed today by the collapse of the tunnel they were trying to dig from the Gaza Strip to Egypt for smuggling, medics said.

Tunnel-digging, to smuggle arms and contraband, has continued at the border between Gaza and Egypt even since Israel gave up control of the frontier when it pulled out of the Gaza Strip last year.

Medics said at least four other people were hurt when the tunnel collapsed in the Rafah border area.

Palestinians and Egyptians have discovered and blocked at least 10 tunnels since the Israeli withdrawal in September 2005. The Rafah border crossing for travellers on foot is now controlled by the Palestinians and monitored by the European Union.

Tunnels are used by armed factions for bringing in weapons as well as by smugglers avoiding import duties.

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