VIDEO: South Korean fighter jets mistakenly drop bombs on civilian area, injuring 15

Fifteen people were injured after a pair of South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs in a civilian area during a routine military exercise on Thursday.

The incident took place in Pocheon, a city near the border with North Korea, as part of regular drills conducted to ensure South Korea’s preparedness against potential threats. The mishap involved two Air Force KF-16 aircraft, which mistakenly released a total of eight bombs in a populated district.

In response, South Korea's Air Force issued a statement apologizing for the damage and confirmed an investigation was underway. Authorities assured those affected that they would receive compensation. While military exercises occasionally result in shells landing near civilian zones, it is uncommon for such incidents to cause injuries.

Among the wounded, two individuals suffered fractures to their necks and shoulders, according to local reports. One 60-year-old driver was struck by shrapnel when the explosion occurred.

"I was driving when I heard a 'bang,'" the individual recounted to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. "When I woke up, I was in an ambulance."

The Air Force acknowledged the mishap, stating: "Our KF-16 (fighter jet) abnormally dropped eight shells of MK-82 bombs. It landed outside of firing range." Officials explained that one of the pilots mistakenly entered incorrect coordinates, leading to the errant drop. The cause of the second jet's release remains under investigation. As a precaution, all live-fire drills have been temporarily halted.

The bombing caused significant damage to property, including a church and several homes. Photos published by local outlets depict shattered windows and a damaged church roof. One resident recalled watching television when an explosion, described as "like a thunderclap," rattled his house.

At a nearby senior citizen care facility, windows were blown out, and one staff member was injured. While none of the elderly residents sustained harm, the director of the facility noted, "they were so frightened that we sent them all home."

Following the incident, Pocheon authorities evacuated residents as bomb disposal teams searched for unexploded ordnance. However, later assessments determined that no additional threats remained at the site, according to Yonhap.

The South Korean defense ministry clarified that Thursday’s exercise was linked to a broader joint drill with US forces. The two nations are scheduled to conduct combined training from March 10 to March 20, marking the first such operation since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. These exercises come amid increasing concerns over the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia.

This is not the first time a military drill has resulted in an unintended incident. In 2022, a joint South Korea-US exercise went awry when a short-range ballistic missile malfunctioned, crashing on a military base golf course. Although the warhead did not detonate, the resulting fire sparked panic among nearby residents.