South Korea - South Korean air force jets accidentally drop bombs over Pocheon, multiple injuries, 6 March 2025

[HmmMysterious]

On March 6, 2025, 2 South Korean KF-16 air force jets accidentally dropped 8 Mk82 bombs over the town of Pocheon while conducting military exercises. 3 houses, a church, and a greenhouse received extensive damage and 6 civilians and 2 soldiers were injured. Four of the injured - all civilians were in serious condition. An unidentified air force official told local reporters that one of the pilots accidentally put in the wrong coordinates for a bombing site. More investigation is needed to find out why the second KF-16 jet also dropped bombs over Pocheon.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...ilian-area-during-military-drills-2025-03-06/
South Korean fighter jets accidentally drop bombs, injuring 8 people

 

[vls12345]

South Korean jets accidentally drop bombs on village, injuring 15

The accident occurred during US-South Korean military drills

www.voanews.com

Injured now up to 15 according to the article and expected to rise.

Also,

The fighter jets were participating in U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises near the inter-Korean border, the officials added.

 

[vls12345]

More details from people in the town as well as about some of the injuries:

South Korea: Fifteen hurt after fighter jets drop bombs by accident

South Korea's Air Force has apologised for the incident, which is under investigation.

www.bbc.com

 

[vls12345]

South Korea: Shells hit civilian area during military drill – DW – 03/06/2025

Air force officials said eight bombs were accidentally dropped from fighter jets during a live-fire military exercise. Media reported the shells landed in the civilian region of Pocheon.

www.dw.com

The village where the bombs fell is close to the Seungjin Training Ground, local media reported. For years now, local residents have protested against the disturbances and potential dangers of military drills.

 

[vls12345]

The article has some photos of damage:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/seven-hurt-south-korea-after-shell-lands-civilian-area-during-military-drills-2025-03-06/

"There was a sudden loud roar of a fighter jet, then an explosion rang out.. When I went to the scene, there were about four houses that were halved from the damage, people hurt," said Oh Moung-su, a 65-year-old resident.

 

[vls12345]

Video shows huge blast as South Korean fighter jets accidentally drop eight 500-pound bombs on border city

Shocking footage captured the moment South Korean fighter jets accidentally dropped eight bombs on a civilian area during military exercises Thursday, leaving 15 people injured.

nypost.com

 

[LoveyG]

I don't mean to sound stupid, but, I basically am when it comes to fighter jets. Can they not see their targets? Ok you put in the coordinates but when you see the church below, don't you pause and double check?

 

[vls12345]

Number of damaged houses in accidental bombing grows to 152

The number of houses damaged in last week's accidental bombing of a northern village has grown by 10 to 152 following a third survey, the local government said Monday.

m.koreatimes.co.kr

 

[Cryptic]

I don't mean to sound stupid, but, I basically am when it comes to fighter jets. Can they not see their targets? Ok you put in the coordinates but when you see the church below, don't you pause and double check?

They might have been practicing a technique known as "glide bombing". The target is not directly bombed (see church, don't drop the bomb).

Rather, the jet lofts the bomb towards the target at high altitude- then turns quickly away. The bomb then glides / falls towards the distant target. Ideally, this keeps the jet or range of anti aircraft missiles, guns etc. . Yet, the plane can still bomb the target.

As a side note, both the Russians and Ukrainians use the technique. Its not as accurate as direct or smart bombing, but it keeps the pilot safer.

 

[Charlot123]

No words. Human error, i understand, but the margin is becoming smaller with modern technology. Aren't they trained?

South Korea, don't allow the pilots to commit suicide, please, every distracting factor needs to be checked. Sleep, amount of computer games, drugs, alcohol, all...

 

[mickey2942]

I don't mean to sound stupid, but, I basically am when it comes to fighter jets. Can they not see their targets? Ok you put in the coordinates but when you see the church below, don't you pause and double check?

How do you "accidentally" drop bombs? This is not like dropping a call.