North Korea nuclear test site collapses ‘killing 200 people’

A tunnel collapsed at a North Korean nuclear test site, leaving around 200 people dead, according to reports.

Around 100 workers at the Punggye-ri nuclear site were affected by the initial collapse, which took place around September 10, Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi said.

A second collapse during a rescue operation meant it was possible the death toll could have exceeded 200, it added.

The secretive state has kept the incident under wraps for almost two months.

The Punggye-ri nuclear site may not be used for much longer to test nuclear weapons after a series of tremors and landslides nearby, Reuters news agency said.

Reuters said it was not immediately able to verify reports of the collapse.

The reports come amid rising tensions between North Korea and the US.