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| North Korea: Earthquake near nuclear site sparks fears of fresh hydrogen bomb test | North Korea: Earthquake near nuclear site sparks fears of fresh hydrogen bomb test |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A 2.9 magnitude earthquake has been recorded close to a nuclear testing site in North Korea, a US-based monitor has said, fuelling fears the country has tested another hydrogen bomb. | A 2.9 magnitude earthquake has been recorded close to a nuclear testing site in North Korea, a US-based monitor has said, fuelling fears the country has tested another hydrogen bomb. |
| The US Geological Survey said they recorded the quake around 23km north-east of Sungjibaegam – a known North Korean nuclear testing site. | |
| Although analysts cannot be 100 per cent certain the quake is the result of a nuclear test, it shares many "characteristics" with past tests. | |
| Pyongyang's last known nuclear test occurred on 3 September but caused an earthquake which a much greater magnitude of 6.3 and drew widespread condemnation from the UN. | |
| The North Korean regime has stepped its nuclear and missile testing over the past year as tensions between it and the US become increasingly fraught. | |
| On Thursday, the North Korean foreign minister accused US President Donald Trump of having "lit the wick of war" between their countries and warned that America would be made to pay with a "hail of fire". | |
| It is feared that the regime is close to being able to make a nuclear warhead small enough to fit on the end of a missile. | |
| Its missile tests have already demonstrated it is capable of hitting Japan and analysts say it will be able to reach the mainland US within one or two years. | |
| Mr Trump's increasingly belligerent response to North Korean provocation has been criticised by members of the US Congress and his international partners. | |
| In August, he threatened North Korea with "fire and fury like the world has never seen" if it continued with its nuclear programme to which it responded by threatening to attack the island of Guam – the nearest US territory to the country. | |
| More follows… | More follows… |