South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped eight air-to-surface bombs on a populated area injuring 29 people - 15 civilians and 14 soldiers.
The bombs were dropped at approximately 10:07 am local time on Thursday in Pocheon, a city located 40 kilometres northeast of Seoul - just outside of a training area close to the North Korea border.
South Korean Military have said the eight large Mk82 bombs from two KF-16 jets fell outside the designated range during a joint live-fire exercise as a result of a pilot entering incorrect coordinates.
The latest injury numbers include cases of ear damage caused by the blasts, along with people suffering from migraines and anxiety, said Defence Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu.
Nine of the people wounded are currently in hospital, with two sustaining serious injuries according to Ha-Kyu.
"We are sorry for the damage caused by the abnormal drop accident, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery," said the South Korean Air Force in a statement.
Two residential buildings, part of a church, and a truck were also reportedly destroyed as a result of the bombs.
A 65-year old resident described hearing the a sudden loud roar from the jets followed by the sound of explosion
The military suspended the firing exercise until it was confirmed what had caused the accident and have said that major joint South Korean and United States military exercises known as the “Freedom Shield” scheduled to begin on Monday will not be impacted.
A spokesperson for the United States Forces Korea (USFK) later emphasised that no United States Air Force aircraft were involved in the exercise.
CNN reported that the annual drills are known to unsettle North Korea which sees the drills as provocations.
North Korean authorities said in a statement today that they condemned the exercises for “infringing on its sovereignty and security interests,” and warned that the US and South Korea would “pay a severe price.”
Protestors gathered near the defence ministry in Seoul on Friday, rallying for the pause of military drills that are threatening the lives of civilians.
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