South Korean Fighter Jets Bomb Church And Homes By Mistake
A tragic accident occurred in Pocheon, South Korea, on Thursday when South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight bombs on a civilian district. The incident left 15 people injured, including two in critical condition, and caused extensive damage to houses and a church. The mishap took place during a military exercise conducted by the South Korean Air Force.
Pocheon, located about 40 kilometres northeast of Seoul near the highly militarised border with North Korea, has long been a site for military training. However, the latest exercises turned disastrous when two KF-16 fighter jets inadvertently released eight 500-pound (225 kg) Mk82 bombs outside the designated shooting range. According to a military official, the error occurred due to a pilot entering incorrect coordinates. All eight bombs detonated upon impact.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene. Oh Moung-su, a 65-year-old resident, recalled hearing a deafening roar from the fighter jets, followed by massive explosions. “When I arrived at the scene, I saw four houses destroyed, people injured, and smoke filling the sky,” he said. “Water was gushing from pipes, and some victims in a vehicle couldn’t even escape. One person was covering his eye from the blast.”
The South Korean Air Force issued an apology, acknowledging the devastating consequences of the accident. “We deeply regret the damage caused by this abnormal incident and extend our wishes for a swift recovery to the injured,” the Air Force stated. As a precaution, all live-fire exercises in the region have been suspended until a thorough investigation determines the exact cause of the mishap.
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Despite this, military officials confirmed that the upcoming large-scale joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, known as the Freedom Shield exercises, will proceed as planned from March 10 to 20. These drills aim to bolster defence capabilities against potential threats, including those from North Korea.
Residents of Pocheon have long expressed concerns over the risks posed by military training activities near civilian areas. This latest incident has intensified their frustration. Pocheon Mayor Baeck Young-hyeun urged the government and military to implement stringent safety measures to prevent further civilian casualties. “This was an unthinkable tragedy. The government must ensure that such accidents never happen again,” he said.
Images from the aftermath show a community left in ruins. Homes were split apart, shattered glass littered the streets, and a church was left covered in debris. Security footage aired on local television captured the horrifying moment an explosion engulfed a pickup truck, underscoring the severity of the blast.
As the injured recover and authorities investigate, the people of Pocheon remain on edge, hoping for concrete actions to protect their community from future military mishaps. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with military training exercises near civilian areas and the need for enhanced safety protocols.
In these difficult times, many are offering prayers for the affected families, hoping for healing and swift justice for those impacted by this tragedy.
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