Britain sends aircraft for N.Korea blast probe
rhsukarsa
May 31, 2009, London -- Britain has sent a military aircraft to help verify the strength of the nuclear device detonated by North Korea earlier this week, the government said on Saturday.
The secretive Communist country carried out an underground nuclear test on Monday, drawing international condemnation.
The Defence Ministry said a VC10 tanker plane had been sent to Japan to assist with examinations determining the strength of the blast and the type of nuclear material used.
The VC10 enables aircraft to refuel in the air.
On Friday, a U.S. official said initial tests to determine whether North Korea had fired a nuclear device were inconclusive.
The Vienna-based Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization said absolute proof awaited findings of radioactive particles and noble gases, expected next week at the earliest.
(ANTARA News/Reuters)
