White phosphorus leak at US air base in South Korea
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- White phosphorus leak reported at Osan Air Base.
- Emergency teams respond to suspected warhead leak.
- Residents warned to evacuate and avoid exposure.
- Area secured as officials investigate cause.
A white phosphorus leak at Osan Air Base (K-55), a major US military installation located in Seotan-myeon, Pyeongtaek, prompted emergency site containment and local resident evacuations on Tuesday afternoon.
According to fire and police authorities, emergency services received an initial report around 4:54 p.m. citing a "suspected chemical leakage from a warhead" within the base premises.
Site lockdown
White phosphorus is a highly reactive chemical agent that ignites spontaneously upon contact with air, producing dense white smoke used primarily for military screening operations.
Exposure poses severe safety risks, including deep thermal and chemical skin burns, while inhaling large volumes of the smoke can be fatal.
In response to the incident, Pyeongtaek municipal authorities immediately broadcast emergency disaster text messages to surrounding areas, instructing nearby residents to "evacuate to a safe place to avoid skin exposure."
Fire authorities dispatched 31 emergency responders and nine specialized units to secure the location and execute safety containment protocols. Joint investigations by fire, police, and military officials are set to begin once the site is fully stabilized.
