A joint U.S. military exercise turned into a disaster after two Air Force KF-16 fighter jets mistakenly dropped eight air-to-surface bombs on a civilian city. 

The United States Air Force and their South Korean ally were conducting a joint exercise when two KF-16 fighter jets fell outside a firing range and dropped 8 bombs on the civilian city. The fighter jets were taking part in the Air Force’s joint live-firing drills with the army.

The accidental bombing, which occurred on Thursday in the South Korean city of Pocheon, left 15 people, including two soldiers and two foreigners, with minor to serious injuries and damaged a church and seven other buildings.

While the U.S. military has not issued a statement on the accident, its South Korean ally revealed that a committee will be set up to investigate why the accident happened. The committee will also examine the scale of civilian damage. 

According to reports, the South Korean Air Force said the bombs caused unspecified civilian damages, which included houses and a church. 

The South Korean Air Force apologized for the civilian damage and wished the injured a quick recovery. 

“We are sorry for the damage caused by the abnormal drop accident, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery,” they added.

South Korea Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Lee Young-su promised to compensate the injured and those whose properties were damaged. 

“We will compensate to the full extent of the mental, physical and property damage inflicted upon the residents,” Lee said in a statement.

South Korean news outlet Yonhap reported that several buildings were damaged, with authorities evacuating around 40 households.  South Korean fire officials said two civilian men sustained serious injuries and were transported to the hospital, though their facial and shoulder wounds are not considered life-threatening. 

Additionally, eight other individuals with minor injuries were taken to medical facilities for treatment, according to Yonhap. The outlet revealed that authorities expect the number of those injured to rise as more people continue to demand treatment. 

According to Yonhap, an initial investigation suggests that pilot error may have triggered the accident. The investigation also found that one of the pilots of the single-seat jets entered incorrect strike target coordinates before takeoff.

For years, local residents have voiced their concerns through protests regarding the noise and possible hazards posed by the nearby training grounds.

Earlier on Thursday, the defense ministry announced that South Korean and U.S. troops were conducting their inaugural joint live-fire exercises in Pocheon as part of preparations for the annual military drills scheduled to begin next week.

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