At least 15 people have sustained injuries following an incident where South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area, according to the air force fire agency.
Two KF-16 fighter jets, participating in a joint firing drill with the US military, mistakenly dropped eight 500lb (225kg) Mk-82 bombs outside a designated firing range in Pocheon, as reported by the air force.
Images from the scene depicted a house with a hole created by the blast, debris scattered around a church, and a shop with shattered windows.
Pics: Reuters
“There was a sudden loud roar of a fighter jet, then an explosion rang out,” stated 65-year-old resident Oh Moung-su.
“When I went to the scene, there were about four houses that were halved from the impact, people hurt. Dust and smoke rose into the sky, water gushed out of a pipe.
“People in a vehicle going to a construction site were injured – some of them couldn’t even get out of the car. Another was outside the car covering his eye.”
Debris on a damaged church in Pocheon. Pics: Reuters
The air force has extended its apologies and announced it will provide compensation to the victims.
It intends to establish a committee to investigate the cause of the incident and assess the extent of the damage.
Two out of the 15 injured individuals were severely hurt, the fire agency reported.
The city of Pocheon is situated approximately 40km (25 miles) northeast of the capital Seoul and is close to the heavily militarized border with North Korea.
South Korean air force fighter jets. File pic: AP
Officials examine the damaged buildings. Pic: Reuters
The incident occurred due to a pilot entering incorrect coordinates for the bombing site, according to an unnamed air force official who spoke to local reporters. The jets dropped four bombs each, all of which detonated.
Authorities will suspend live-fire exercises until a clear understanding of the incident is established, the official stated.
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Another unidentified Defense Ministry official also stated that further investigation is required to determine why the second jet also dropped bombs on the civilian area.
“The unthinkable has happened,” declared Pocheon city Mayor Baek Young-hyeun.
Local residents have long protested the potential dangers posed by the nearby training grounds, with the mayor urging the government and military to implement measures to prevent any further civilian harm.
Earlier on Thursday, the defense ministry announced that South Korea and US forces were conducting their first joint live-fire exercises in Pocheon.
These exercises were part of the annual Freedom Shield military drills, scheduled to begin next week and last for 10 days, aimed at enhancing the alliance’s readiness to address threats such as North Korea, as announced by South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff prior to the incident.
