Pilot error causes village bombing during South Korea drills
The South Korean Air Force has confirmed that a pilot error led to the accidental dropping of bombs on a village near Seoul. The incident resulted in 31 people being injured.
The South Korean Air Force revealed that the pilot error was the main cause of the accidental dropping of bombs on the village of Pocheon, located about 40 kilometres to the northeast of Seoul. According to the BBC, the incident occurred on March 6 during joint military exercises with the USA, which involved live ammunition.
As a result of this incident, 31 people suffered injuries, including 12 civilians. A total of 152 buildings were damaged. Two South Korean KF-16 fighter jets dropped eight MK-82 bombs outside the designated range. The South Korean Air Force stated that the pilot of the first aircraft failed to fulfil the duty to triple-check the target.
The pilot of the first aircraft should have double-checked the target at least three times throughout the process of the assignment but did not do so, stated the statement, as cited by the Yonhap Agency.
Bombed village in South Korea
The MK-82 bomb is an unguided aerial weapon, with an impact radius comparable to the size of a football field. It is used to destroy buildings and bridges, creating a crater with a diameter of about 8 metres and a depth of over 2 metres.
The South Korean Air Force immediately apologised for the tragic mistake and committed to compensating all those affected. Until the incident is clarified, the military has decided to suspend all exercises using live ammunition. The Mayor of Pocheon, Paek Young-hyun, stated that there are as many as three military ranges in the vicinity of the village where the bombs fell.
