Warplane accidentally drops bombs

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea’s Air Force said Thursday that one of its fighter jets had accidentally dropped eight bombs in the wrong place during a training exercise, resulting in civilian injuries.

“Eight MK-82 general-purpose bombs were abnormally released from an Air Force KF-16 aircraft, landing outside the designated firing range,” the Air Force said.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. in Pocheon, around 25 kilometers south of the heavily fortified border with the nuclear-armed North.

“We deeply regret the unintended release of the bombs, which resulted in civilian casualties, and wish those injured a swift recovery,” the Air Force said in a statement.

It said it had established an accident response committee to investigate the incident, and said it would “take all necessary measures, including compensation for damages.”