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North Korea is feared to have carried out another nuclear test after a small earthquake was detected in the country.

The earthquake, measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale, was detected near to the site of previous nuclear tests.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was recorded 23km north-east of Sungjibaegam.

Its statement read: "This event occurred in the area of the previous North Korean Nuclear tests.

"The event has earthquake like characteristics, however, we cannot conclusively confirm at this time the nature (natural or human-made) of the event."

Dictator Kim Jong-Un's last known nuclear test on September 3 caused an earthquake at the much higher magnitude of 6.3, drawing widespread condemnation at the UN.

North Korea has described that incident as a test of an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile, marking a dramatic escalation of the regime's stand-off with the United States and its allies.