Fighter jet drops 8 bombs on houses & church near border with North Korea injuring 7 civilians
SEVEN people have been injured after a South Korean fighter jet accidentally dropped eight bombs on small town during a joint drill with the US.
The botched training happened shortly after 10am on Friday in Pocheon, a city near the heavily fortified border with north Korea.
The South Korean KF-16 fighter jet “abnormally” released its MK-82 500-pound bombs outside a designated firing range, the South Korean Air Force said in a statement.
“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the statement read.
The accident injured seven people and damaged homes and local buildings, including a church.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene as residents described the moment the bombs fell.
One resident, surnamed Park, told Yonhap News Agency: “I suddenly heard an enormous explosion, like a thunderclap, and the whole house shook. When I went outside, everything was in chaos.”
At a nearby senior care centre, windows shattered, and one teacher was hospitalised with injuries.
“Fortunately, none of the seniors were hurt, but they were so frightened that we sent them all home,” the center’s director, surnamed Yu, said.
Shocking snaps from the scene show crumbling roofs and homes almost reduced to rubble.
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Cars, shopfronts and even trees were also in destruction's path.
Loads of debris could be seen scattered across the ground as emergency services cordoned off several areas of the South Korean town.
Authorities confirmed that one bomb exploded upon impact, while a disposal team worked to safely remove the seven unexploded bombs.
Residents living nearby were evacuated as a precaution.
An investigation is now underway.
The South Korean Air Force announced it was forming a committee to investigate what caused the "abnormal drop accident" and assess the full extent of the damage.
It also pledged compensation and additional support for affected residents.
The United States has yet to comment on the incident.
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The bizarre accident happened as South Korea and the US were conducting joint live-fire drills in Pocheon.
These are part of preparations for their annual Freedom Shield military exercise, which officially kicks off Monday and runs until March 20.
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