South Korean fighter planes accidentally bomby houses, 15 injuries
South Korean fighter planes accidentally bomby houses, 15 injuries
Seoul, South Korea-South Korean fighter jets accidentally bombed civilian residential buildings with US troops during a live fire training. More than a dozen people were injured, as Seoul's military announced on Thursday.
unintentional bombing
According to the South Korean Air Force, eight MK-82 all-purpose bombs of two KF-16 fighter aircraft “abnormally” were thrown off and landed at around 10:07 a.m. local time outside the intended shooting range. They met civilian infrastructure in the city of Pocheon, northeast of the capital Seoul.
cause of the incident
The Ministry of Defense South Korea announced that the first findings indicate that the incident was caused by the incorrect bombing coordinates of a pilot. A picture published by local media shows thick swaths of smoke that rise from a rural area.
injured and damage
A total of fifteen civilians were injured in the explosions, including two seriously. The National fire brigade agency said CNN that there were no reports on cardiac arrests or unconsciousness. The explosions destroyed two residential buildings, parts of a church and a truck.condition of the scene of the accident
"The scene of the accident is chaotic and resembles a battlefield," said the Mayor of Pocheon, Baek Young-Hyun, in a television address.
joint military exercise
The planes took part in a joint live fire exercise with the South Korean army and the US military, which is part of the annual "Freedom Shield" military exercises between the USA and South Korea. Details about the exercise have not yet been published by the South Korean Air Force.
follow and measures
The South Korean military announced that all live fire training will be suspended from Thursday until the investigation of the incident is completed. An accident examination team was formed and the Air Force explained that it would make compensation for the damage. The Air Force apologized that the "abnormal bombs have caused civil damage" and wished the injured a quick recovery.
possible technical problems
authorities have not excluded the possibility of a technical error, as an official representative of the Air Force announced CNN.
planned exercises and reactions of North Korea
The "Freedom Shield" exercises are scheduled from March 10th to 20th to strengthen the common defense structure of the US and South Korean forces. These annual exercises often encounter resistance from North Korea, which she sees as provocations. The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States and South Korea of fueling tensions with their joint exercises, whereupon Pyongyang often reacts with warlike threats.
Current developments
in 2023 North Korea carried out a ballistic test, while US strategy mites took part in joint air exercises with South Korean armed forces. This message has been updated with further information.
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