At least five people have been killed when a tunnel under the border between Egypt and the  Gaza Strip collapsed, a Palestinian official said.

Up to 15 people were also injured in the accident near Rafah on Friday.

Witnesses said the tunnel was dug to smuggle goods from Egypt into Gaza.

"At least five Palestinians have been killed and 15 more were injured," said Mohahya Hassine, the area's emergency services director.
 
"The accident was perhaps caused by a gas explosion."   

According to the Israeli government, the border town of Rafah is frequently used as a crossing point for arms and explosives trafficked through underground  tunnels.

But Palestinians have said that the tunnels are a desperate response to an Israeli blockade of the poverty-stricken territory, in force since Hamas took control last year from forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.