In South Korea, 15 individuals were harmed and two of those injuries were severe as a result of fighter jets inadvertently launching eight bombs into a residential area during a military exercise, as reported by the media. The event transpired at around 10:04 local time in Pocheon, close to the North Korea border. South Korea’s Air Force expressed regret and promised compensation, stating they are investigating the incident. Shells from exercises usually do not cause injuries, but on this occasion, two people suffered fractures in their necks and shoulders. One 60-year-old individual, driving at the time of the explosion, was found with shrapnel lodged in their neck. The Air Force attributed the dropping of the bombs to incorrect coordinates entered by a pilot’s error and stated they are examining why the second jet also released bombs. Speculation is ongoing as to the cause, with services involving live-fire now halted. Damage was inflicted on a church’s roof and windows in nearby houses. A resident described the sound of the explosion as akin to thunder, leading residents to be evacuated as bomb disposal crews worked. No unexploded bombs were found in the aftermath, according to Yonhap. The training was connected to an upcoming exercise with US forces scheduled from March 10th to March 20th, the first since Donald Trump’s return to office, amid concerns over North Korea’s growing ties with Russia. In a similar exercise in 2022, a short-range missile malfunctioned and crashed on a golf course, causing panic among locals.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ernge8193o