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14 workers survive after missing in tunnel underneath Gaza-Egypt border

Xinhua, December 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Around 14 Palestinian workers, who were missed earlier on Tuesday in a tunnel underneath the borderline area between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, were found all live, Gaza civil defense officials said.

Mohamed al-Medana, an officer in the Hamas-run civil defense, told reporters that 14 workers were missing after the tunnel was filled with seawater, pumped by the Egyptian army forces early on Tuesday morning.

Residents of Rafah town, who live close to the border with Egypt, said there were 21 workers, were working inside several tunnels underneath the borders, adding that when the water flooded the tunnels, seven managed to get out.

"The seven workers reported the 14 others were stuck into the tunnel and water surrounded them," said Abu Muhamed Bashiti, one of the seven survivals.

Israel imposed a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip following the takeover of the coastal enclave by Islamic Hamas movement in 2007. However, to defy the blockade, the Palestinians dug hundreds of tunnels to get their needs of food.

The Egyptian army launched a security campaign against the tunnels and had managed to destroy more than 90 percent of it early this year.

The Palestinians say 120 tunnels, out of 1,800, are operating to smuggle cigarettes and other stuff. Endit