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Houses and a school collapsed in a village near to North Korea’s Punggye-ri test site. Earthquakes created by Kim Jong-un’s most powerful nuclear test back in September triggered the devastation. The explosion triggered an aftershock within eight minutes and three additional shocks. News of North Korean deaths has now emerged after being revealed by defector group South and North Development.

GETTY Earthquakes created by Kim Jong-un’s powerful nuclear test in September triggered the devastation

Farms, homes and even a school are reported to have crumbled during the 6.3 magnitude quake triggered by the underground nuclear test. The school which collapsed did so in North Korea’s North Hamgyong Province – injuring up to 150 school children. North Korea has been accused of failing to warn locals of the imminent nuclear test, with children waiting in their classrooms during the collapse. North Korean hospitals are flooded with soldiers with radiation sickness from the fallout, according to reports.

Shock footage stills of North Korean defector escaping across border Wed, November 22, 2017 Dramatic footage of a North Korean soldier's defection released on November 22 showed him racing across the border under fire from former comrades, and then being hauled to safety by South Korean troops. The defector, who ran across the border at the Panmunjom truce village on November 13, was shot at least four times and has been recovering in a South Korean hospital Play slideshow EPA 1 of 11 A North Korean Korean People's Army (KPA) defector driving along a road leading to the truce village of Panmunjom

Pyongyang also reportedly ordered farmers in the region to harvest their crops rather than work to the repair the damage caused. A source said: “Farmers couldn't even think of repairing the damage because they're busy harvesting crops even though three months have passed since their houses were destroyed. “Displaced farmers are staying in temporary shelters or living with neighbours whose houses sustained less damage." Meanwhile, experts believe Kim is preparing to fix miniature nuclear warheads on a rocket capable of reaching the US mainland within a matter of weeks.

Despite research showing North Korea conducts significantly fewer missile tests in the last quarter of the year, the regime is thought to be close to a breakthrough in its mission to become a recognised nuclear power. However, one expert believes North Korea has reached new heights of nuclear technology which means it can now develop lethal weapons without having to test them. Tetsuo Sawada, Assistant Professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology, believes the rapidly increasing strength of North Korea’s nuclear tests means developments can continue without more detonations.

Mum's the word! Photos capture the love and joy on Mother's Day in North Korea Thu, November 16, 2017 North Koreans in Pyongyang typically mark Mother's Day with flowers and chocolates Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 13 A bride and groom pose for pictures in a park in Pyongyang