(Reuters): On Thursday, bombs were accidentally dropped into a residential neighborhood during military drills in Pocheon, South Korea, injuring fifteen people. The Air Force and fire department said the event seriously damaged a church and several residences.

Two of the injured received severe injuries, according to the Gyeonggi-do Bukbu Fire Services, while the others only had minor wounds. To help the impacted residents, emergency response teams were sent to the area.

About 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Seoul, Pocheon is close to the heavily guarded North Korean border. Because the area has long been utilized for military training, locals are worried about their safety.

Eight 500-pound (225 kg) Mk82 bombs dropped by KF-16 fighter planes during joint live-fire exercises were confirmed to have missed their target by the South Korean Air Force. Instead of hitting human areas, the bombs were designed to land within the specified shooting range.

The Air Force issued a formal statement expressing regret for the tragedy, sorry for the damage, and wishing the injured people a speedy recovery. In an effort to stop future incidents of this kind, authorities are currently looking into what caused the accident.

For years, Pocheon residents have voiced their concerns about the dangers posed by adjacent military training facilities. They have expressed worries about the disruption, noise, and possible risks to their safety. Their calls for tighter safety regulations have only increased in response to this catastrophe.

After the incident, police searched for any unexploded munitions and evacuated people about noon. According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, authorities were closely examining the region to make sure there was no more threat.

Photos shot on the spot revealed a damaged church with broken windows and garbage all over it. In order to support individuals impacted and determine the entire scope of the damage, local authorities are working.

The defense ministry of South Korea earlier in the day affirmed that the current exercises in Pocheon were a component of joint live-fire training with American forces. These drills are related to the yearly military exercises that will start next week.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Seoul said that the United States and South Korea will begin their Freedom Shield exercise on Monday. The goal of the operation, which will run until March 20, is to improve defenses against possible threats, especially those posed by North Korea.

According to military sources, tactics drawn from recent international conflicts will be incorporated into this year's drills. As part of their training strategy, they will also take into account the expanding military connections between Russia and North Korea.

Military planners carefully examine worldwide trends and incorporate them into their training programs, according to Ryan Donald, a spokesman for the United States Forces Korea (USFK). About 70 field training sessions are planned for the forthcoming exercise, according to South Korean JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-jun.

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