Fighter jet misfire strikes town in South Korea; at least 7 injured

A South Korean fighter jet misfire, during a joint drill with the U.S., struck a South Korean town, according to officials. At least seven people have been injured.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, local time, in Idong township in Pocheon, northeast of South Korea’s capital, Seoul.

The South Korean Air Force confirmed that eight MK-82 bombs were released abnormally from a KF-16 and landed outside the firing range during a joint training exercise with U.S. forces, according to Yonhap.

At least seven people have been injured, with injuries ranging from moderate to serious, according to YTN. The suspected misfire caused damage to at least two homes, a church, and several vehicles.

“We are sorry for the civilian damage caused by the irregular airdrop and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” said the South Korean Air Force in a statement. “We will actively implement all necessary measures, including compensation for damages.”

Military and emergency services have been dispatched to the region, which hosts the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex (RLFC), a training facility in South Korea where U.S. and South Korean soldiers participate in live-fire exercises.

On March 29, 2015, a nonexplosive 105mm training round fired by a Stryker armored vehicle from the Rodriguez Range left the complex and damaged a nearby roof in the same region. No casualties were reported.