On Thursday during a training exercise, a South Korean KF-16 fighter jet accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area. Reportedly, the incident has injured eight people and occurred in Pocheon, a city close to the border with North Korea. It is about 40 kilometres northeast of the capital Seoul.
In a statement, the South Korean Air Force stated that the MK-82 bombs abnormally released by the KF-16 fighter jet fell outside a firing range, causing unspecified civilian damages. According to the media sources, the Air Force would establish a committee to investigate why the accident happened and examine the scale of civilian damages.
The statement disclosed, ‘The fighter jet was taking part in the air force’s joint live-firing drills with the army’. The Air Force apologized for causing civilian damages and expressed hope that those who have been injured due to the incident will have a speedy recovery. It said it will actively offer compensation and other necessary steps for victims.
6 civilians and 2 soldiers injured
Six civilians and two soldiers were injured. According to the media sources, the conditions of two of the injured were serious but not life-threatening. It also said seven buildings were damaged.
An official with Gyeonggi-do Bukbu Fire Services said out of the eight people wounded, two were seriously hurt. Residents in the Pocheon area have protested about the disturbance and potential danger from nearby training grounds for years.
The country’s defence ministry said that South Korea and US forces were holding their first joint live-fire exercises in Pocheon, linked to annual military drills due to start next week.
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