The South Korean Defence Ministry on Thursday said the number of people injured after the country’s fighter jets accidentally dropped bombs on a civilian area increased to 15 civilians and 14 soldiers.
Defence Ministry spokesperson, Jeon Ha-kyu told reporters on Friday that the latest tally included cases of ear damage due to the blasts, as well as people suffering from migraines and anxiety.
DAILY POST recalls that two South Korean fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight air-to-surface bombs on a civilian town on Thursday.
An ensuing blast shook homes and buildings, video footage showed.
The area impacted in Pocheon, which is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northeast of Seoul, was outside of a training area close to the border with North Korea.
According to the spokesperson, nine of the wounded were currently hospitalised, including two who were seriously hurt.
The military said eight 500-pound (225 kg) Mk82 bombs from two jets fell outside the designated range during joint live-fire exercises due to a pilot entering incorrect coordinates.
Meanwhile, authorities have suspended live-fire exercises until it was clearly established what had gone wrong, but the military said the incident would not affect major joint South Korean and U.S. military exercises starting on Monday.