Gold panners killed by home-made bomb in Philippines

Three gold miners died when a bomb they were making at home accidentally exploded in the central Philippines, an army officer said today.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Puruggannan said the three men had been illegally making bombs to be used in blasting underwater rocks which help them obtain the precious metal by panning in the impoverished far-flung township of Aroroy in Masbate province.

Lt Col Puruggannan said one of the miners accidentally detonated a bomb they were making at home late on Saturday, killing himself and a brother. A third gold panner was wounded and died on the way to hospital.

The deadly blast prompted the army and police to launch a crackdown on illegal bomb-makers in the region.