Joe
SEOUL, South Korea – A South Korean fighter jet mistakenly dropped eight bombs on a civilian area during a training exercise on Thursday, injuring seven people, according to military officials.
The MK-82 bombs, which were “abnormally” released from a KF-16 fighter jet, fell outside the designated firing range, causing damage to civilian property, the South Korean Air Force said in a statement.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with a committee set to determine the cause of the malfunction and assess the extent of civilian damages. The KF-16 was participating in joint live-firing drills conducted by the Air Force and the Army at the time of the accident.
The Air Force issued an apology for the incident and pledged to support the injured, promising compensation and other necessary measures for those affected.
While the Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the accident, local media, including Yonhap News Agency, reported that the bombs landed in Pocheon, a city near the North Korean border. Yonhap also stated that five civilians and two soldiers sustained injuries, with two in serious but non-life-threatening condition. Additionally, seven buildings were reportedly damaged.
Authorities continue to assess the full impact of the accident as the investigation moves forward.
* New York Post
PeakNews Online
