Seven individuals sustained injuries, four seriously, after a South Korean fighter jet inadvertently dropped eight bombs near a residential area during a live-fire exercise in Pocheon.
Accidental Bomb Drop Injures Seven During Military Exercise in South Korea
Accidental Bomb Drop Injures Seven During Military Exercise in South Korea
A mishap involving a fighter jet during a military drill leaves civilians injured and raises safety concerns.
In a startling incident, South Korea's air force reported that a KF-16 fighter jet accidentally released eight MK-82 bombs outside of its designated firing range during a military exercise. The event occurred around 10:04 local time in Pocheon, a city situated close to the North Korean border. While only one bomb detonated, the results were devastating—seven civilians were injured, with four victims suffering serious wounds.
Medical reports indicate that two of the injured experienced fractures in their necks and shoulders, while a 60-year-old driver was hospitalized after shrapnel lodged in their neck due to the explosion. Local authorities have since evacuated residents in the vicinity for safety as bomb disposal teams work to render the remaining seven unexploded bombs safe.
In a statement, the Korean Air Force expressed regret for the incident, confirming an investigation into the unusual drop of munitions and committing to compensating affected individuals. Military analysts, including Yang Uk from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, suggested that bombs may fail to explode if released from lower-than-intended altitudes.
Damage reports reveal destruction not only to buildings but also to a nearby church. Shocked residents described the sound of the blast as resembling a thunderclap, instigating panic in the community. The nearby senior citizen care center reported shattered windows but fortunately confirmed that none of its clients were harmed.
This exercise was part of scheduled joint drills with U.S. forces that run from March 10 to March 20, amidst escalating tensions tied to the growing North Korea-Russia alliance. The South Korean defense ministry faces scrutiny, reminiscent of a past incident during a joint exercise in 2022 when a ballistic missile malfunctioned and caused a fire on a golf course within a military base, although that incident resulted in no injuries.
