Seoul, March 6
Fifteen people in South Korea were injured on Thursday after two Air Force KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight air-to-surface bombs outside a training range during live-fire drills, military officials and fire authorities said, in an unprecedented mistaken bombing on a civilian town.
Authorities said the bombing took place over a village in Pocheon, some 40 kilometres north of Seoul, at around 10 a.m., leaving 15 people, including two soldiers and two foreigners, with minor to serious injuries and damaging a church and seven other buildings.
Fire authorities said two male civilians have been seriously injured and taken to the hospital but noted their injuries to the face and shoulder are not life-threatening. Eight others with minor injuries have also been moved to hospitals for treatment.
Authorities expect the number of those injured to rise as more people have requested treatment.
Some 50 residents in the area have evacuated to a town hall away from the bombing site.
Military officials said the KF-16 fighter jets taking part in a live-fire exercise 'abnormally' released four MK-82 bombs each outside the training range in Pocheon at 10:04 am
The Air Force said it is conducting an investigation into the accident, headed by Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Park Ki-wan, and apologised for the damage to civilians.
"We are sorry for the civilian damage from the abnormal (bomb) release accident and wish for the swift recovery of those injured," the Air Force said in a statement. "We will actively take all necessary measures, including compensation for the damage."