BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Sewage 'tsunami' hits Gaza

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14:42 GMT, Tuesday, 27 March 2007 15:42 UK

In pictures: Sewage 'tsunami' hits Gaza

Palestinian rescue workers search for bodies in Umm al-Naser

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A flood of sewage swept through a village in the northern Gaza Strip after a cesspit collapsed. Five people, including a four-year-old boy, were killed.

A rescuer in raw sewage

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About 25 people in Umm al-Naser were injured by what the villagers said was a sewage "tsunami".

A Palestinian man cleans his house in Umm al-Naser

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Officials said at least 25 houses were buried in raw sewage, and many more damaged.

Villagers run from the scene of the flood

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Many residents of the village, a farming community of 3,000, abandoned their houses as they fled to safety.

A rescuer carries a goat

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Trapped goats and other animals were pulled to safety.

Palestinians watch as rescuers search for bodies

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There are fears that the death toll will rise further, as some people are still reported missing.

Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmeh inspects the damage

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Palestinian Interior Minister Hani al-Qawasmeh - who rushed to the scene - was reportedly chased off by angry villagers.

Palestinians at the scene of the accident

Palestinians at the scene of the accident

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Aid agencies had reportedly long warned that sewage at the treatment reservoir was reaching dangerous levels.

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Sewage flood in Gaza kills four (27 Mar 07 | Middle East )