South Korea, fighter accidentally drops bombs: 7 injured

Seoul (South Korea), 6 March (LaPresse/AP) – During a training exercise, a South Korean fighter plane accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area, injuring seven people. The MK-82 bombs, dropped ‘abnormally’ by the KF-16 fighter, fell outside the firing range, causing unspecified civilian damage, according to a statement from the South Korean Air Force. The air force announced that it will set up a commission to investigate the causes of the accident and to examine the extent of the damage to civilians. It also explained that the fighter jet was participating in joint live-fire exercises with the army. The air force apologised for the damage caused to civilians and expressed the hope that the injured would recover quickly, adding that it would actively offer compensation and other necessary measures for the victims. The location of the incident was not specified, but South Korean media reported that it occurred in Pocheon, a city close to the border with North Korea. The Yonhap news agency reported that five civilians and two soldiers were injured. Yonhap said that two of the injured are in a serious but not life-threatening condition. It also said that seven buildings were damaged.