Eight people were injured when bombs accidentally dropped by an air force jet struck a civilian district in Pocheon, South Korea.
The South Korean Air Force confirmed that eight bombs fell from a KF-16 fighter jet during joint military exercises.
The incident occurred during live-fire drills, which are part of routine training.
Two people are reported to be in a serious condition, according to an official from the Gyeonggi-do Bukbu Fire Services. Local authorities are assessing the extent of the damage, which includes several damaged buildings and scattered debris.
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Pocheon is located 40 kilometers northeast of Seoul near the border with North Korea. It has long been a site of military exercises.
Residents have voiced concerns about the noise and potential dangers posed by the nearby training grounds.
“We are deeply sorry for the damage caused by this abnormal drop accident, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the South Korean Air Force said in a statement.
The military has announced the formation of a committee to investigate the cause of the accident and evaluate civilian damages.
Photographs from the scene show a destroyed home with debris scattered across the ground, highlighting the severity of the impact.
The incident occurred amid South Korea and United States’ first joint live-fire exercises. The exercises are part of preparations for the upcoming Freedom Shield exercise set to begin on March 9.
This annual military drill will focus on enhancing the readiness of both nations’ forces against threats like North Korea.
The exercises will include about 70 field training sessions and aim to reflect lessons learned from recent global conflicts. It will also focus on the evolving security challenges posed by North Korea and its growing ties with Russia.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense emphasised the importance of these drills in maintaining a strong alliance with the U.S to address regional security issues.