North Korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed, say geologists

Sayeed Muhammad: North Korea’s main nuclear test site has collapsed following its latest bomb test and could be at risk of leaking radiation, claimed Chinese geologists. The development caused the Punggye-ri site under Mount Mantap to be rendered unsafe for further testing and should be monitored, reports The Independent reported citing scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China. Their findings raise questions about Kim Jong-un’s announcement that his country was ceasing its testing programme ahead of planned meetings with the US president, Donald Trump, and his South Korean counterpart, Moon Jae-in. The data in the study was collected following the detonation of the most powerful of North Korea’s six nuclear bomb tests on 3 September, which reportedly triggered four earthquakes over the following weeks. Japanese media then said the detonation caused one of the tunnels to collapse, potentially killing 200 construction workers.