Tunnel collapse at North Korea's nuclear test site, 200 people may die

Japanese television reports that a tunnel under construction at North Korea's nuclear test site has collapsed, killing up to 200 workers.

Location of Punggye-ri nuclear test site. Graphic: Wikipedia.

About 100 people were trapped inside when a bunker at a nuclear test site collapsed.Punggye-ri, North Korea collapsed and 100 more people may have died trying to rescue those trapped when a second collapse occurred, Asahi TVof Japanreported, as quoted by South Korean news agency Yonhap.

The article did not provide details, such as when the accident occurred.

Experts warn that the ground at North Korea's nuclear test site may be unstable because of six nuclear tests, of which last month was the latest and most powerful, and a collapse could happen at any time.

Nam Jae-cheol, head of the Korea Meteorological Administration, said during a parliamentary session yesterday that another nuclear explosion could cause a collapse at the mountain test site and a radiation leak in North Korea.

The Mantap Mountain area at North Korea's nuclear test site. Photo: Google Earth.

According to VNE