In a distressing incident, South Korea's Air Force announced that a KF-16 fighter jet accidentally dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside a designated military firing range during a live-fire exercise. The mishap, which occurred around 10:04 AM local time in Pocheon, a city near the North Korean border, resulted in injuries to seven individuals, with four suffering serious harm. Reports indicate that only one bomb detonated, while a bomb disposal team is currently working to safely neutralize the remaining unexploded ordnance.
Accidental Bomb Drop by South Korean Fighter Jet Injures Seven in Civilian Area
Accidental Bomb Drop by South Korean Fighter Jet Injures Seven in Civilian Area
Press members report an unsettling event as a South Korean KF-16 fighter jet mistakenly dropped bombs during a military exercise, injuring civilians nearby.
Local authorities have already evacuated nearby residents, as military exercises sometimes pose risks to civilian life, albeit rarely resulting in injuries. Among the injured are two individuals with severe fractures, including a 60-year-old driver who was hit by shrapnel during the explosion. "I was driving when I heard a 'bang'," they recounted, adding that they regained consciousness in an ambulance.
A statement from the Korean Air Force confirmed the incident and expressed regret for the situation, promising compensation for the affected individuals. Military expert Yang Uk pointed out that bombs can be less likely to detonate if released from lower altitudes than intended. The calamity caused damage to a local church and residences, with images revealing shattered windows and a strained roof from the explosion.
One local citizen, who was watching television, described experiencing a thunderous sound that sent tremors through their house, while a nearby senior care facility reported damage to windows but no injuries to the elderly residents. As a precaution, the facility sent everyone home due to the fright caused by the incident. The defense ministry noted that this exercise was part of a joint drill with US forces, set to run from March 10 to March 20.
This incident occurs amid heightened apprehension regarding North Korea's growing collaboration with Russia, especially following a previous live-fire exercise in 2022 that resulted in a malfunctioning missile landing on a golf course, igniting safety concerns in the community.
A statement from the Korean Air Force confirmed the incident and expressed regret for the situation, promising compensation for the affected individuals. Military expert Yang Uk pointed out that bombs can be less likely to detonate if released from lower altitudes than intended. The calamity caused damage to a local church and residences, with images revealing shattered windows and a strained roof from the explosion.
One local citizen, who was watching television, described experiencing a thunderous sound that sent tremors through their house, while a nearby senior care facility reported damage to windows but no injuries to the elderly residents. As a precaution, the facility sent everyone home due to the fright caused by the incident. The defense ministry noted that this exercise was part of a joint drill with US forces, set to run from March 10 to March 20.
This incident occurs amid heightened apprehension regarding North Korea's growing collaboration with Russia, especially following a previous live-fire exercise in 2022 that resulted in a malfunctioning missile landing on a golf course, igniting safety concerns in the community.
