Fifteen individuals sustained injuries, including two seriously, when South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped bombs in a populated district during a military exercise, prompting an investigation and compensation efforts from the Air Force.
Accidental Bomb Drop by South Korean Fighter Jets Injures 15 in Civilian Area
Accidental Bomb Drop by South Korean Fighter Jets Injures 15 in Civilian Area
South Korea's military drill goes awry as bombs fall outside designated firing range.
Fifteen people were injured, two of them critically, after two KF-16 fighter jets from South Korea's Air Force inadvertently released eight bombs in civilian territory during a routine military drill in Pocheon, just miles from the North Korean border. The incident occurred on Thursday and has raised alarm in the local community.
The South Korean military was conducting standard live-fire exercises to enhance readiness against potential threats from the North when the unforeseen event unfolded. Preliminary reports indicate that miscommunication by a pilot who entered incorrect coordinates caused the bombs to be released outside the intended firing range.
In a statement to the BBC, the Air Force acknowledged the mishap and emphasized that an investigation is underway. They expressed their regret over the incident and proposed to compensate those affected. Fortunately, although injuries occurred, there were no reported fatalities. Among the injured was a 60-year-old driver who sustained shrapnel wounds when the bombs detonated nearby; they recounted waking up in an ambulance after the explosion.
Witnesses described the explosion resembling a thunderclap that shook homes, with one local resident mentioning shattered windows and significant noise. A nearby senior citizen care center experienced broken windows but reported no injuries among its residents who were quickly evacuated out of an abundance of caution.
As bomb disposal teams worked at the scene, local authorities confirmed no unexploded ordnance was detected. The South Korean Ministry of Defense stated that the exercises on that day were part of planned joint drills with U.S. forces, coinciding with heightened concerns about the geopolitical dynamics posed by North Korea and its allies.
This incident mirrors past drills gone wrong, including an event in 2022 when a malfunctioning missile led to a fiery scene on a military base, spreading panic among local residents. The South Korean military has suspended all live-fire exercises until investigations conclude and safety measures can be reassessed.
