Hundreds of North Koreans are feared dead after one of Kim Jong Un’s nuclear test sites collapsed earlier this month; killing 100 in the initial cave-in and dozens more as other parts of the facility gave-way on top of rescuers and scientists.
According to Fox News, the cave-in occurred at the Punggye-ri nuclear testing facility in the communist nation’s north-east coast. The collapse may be the result of Kim’s hydrogen bomb test, which triggered a 6.1 magnitude earthquake and severely damaged the underground tunnels used to contain nuclear radiation from the surface.
South Korean and Japanese officials fear the possible collapse could release radiation and other nuclear contaminants throughout the region. Last month, radioactive elements common in nuclear tests were detected in various parts of South Korea, including the capital.
Chinese officials warned the collapse could “take the roof off” of Kim’s recent hydrogen nuclear detonation, adding the fallout could reach as far as the west coast of the United States.
“A 100 kiloton bomb is a relatively large bomb. The North Korean government should stop the tests as they pose a huge threat not only to North Korea but to other countries, especially China,” he added.