Truck Driver Says,
"I Don't Remember Anything After Hearing a Loud Bang"
CCTV footage capturing the scene of the 'Air Force fighter jet accidental bombing' incident that occurred in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province has been released. The video vividly shows the area turning into chaos as a bomb falls in front of a passing truck, engulfing the surroundings in flames and smoke.
The CCTV footage released on the afternoon of the 6th shows that as a truck was passing near a church, an object believed to be a bomb fell about 10 meters ahead of the truck, causing bright red flames and thick smoke to rise nearby. Shrapnel from the explosion scattered around, and branches flew through the air, turning the area into a scene of utter chaos in an instant. The CCTV screen also shook violently from the blast's impact. Moments later, the revealed scene was devastating. The fence and gate were destroyed, and the moving truck was thrown far away.
According to Yonhap News Agency, three people were inside the truck in the CCTV footage; two of them were seriously injured, and the other also sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital.
The driver, Mr. A (60), suffered a severe injury with shrapnel embedded in his neck and was transferred to Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was moved to the intensive care unit for treatment. Mr. A reportedly said, "I heard a 'bang' while driving, and then I don't remember anything. When I woke up, I was in an ambulance," recounting the situation at the time.
CCTV footage capture showing the site in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi, where an Air Force bomb fell. Photo by Yonhap News.
Mr. B (66), who was riding with Mr. A, sustained serious injuries including an open shoulder fracture and was airlifted to the Armed Forces Hospital. Mr. C (64) was also reported to have facial injuries. They were facility maintenance workers who were on their way after completing an inspection when the accident occurred.
According to the Air Force and others, the accident happened around 10:05 a.m. that day when eight MK-82 bombs from a KF-16 fighter jet of the Republic of Korea Air Force, participating in the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, fell on the roadside near Nangyudaegyo Bridge in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon City. A nearby resident testified, "Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the ground shook up and down," describing the tremendous impact at the time.
As a result of this accident, a total of 15 residents have been identified as injured so far, including two seriously injured, and 10 were transported to hospitals. Among the minor injuries were two soldiers who were at the military church and two foreigners who were in the village. Additionally, there are residents who have complained of severe anxiety or requested treatment, so the number of injured may increase.
Besides human casualties, property damage occurred, including five houses, one church, one warehouse, one vinyl greenhouse, and one Porter vehicle being damaged. Furthermore, residents whose homes were damaged by the explosion have become disaster victims and are forced to sleep in unfamiliar places.
Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Young-soo issued a statement that day, saying, "We are deeply sorry to the residents of Nogok-ri, Pocheon City, who were injured in this unexpected accident during daily life, who were greatly shocked, and who suffered property damage," and added, "We will compensate as much as possible for the mental, physical, and property damages suffered by the residents." He continued, "The Air Force takes this abnormal drop (accidental bombing) incident seriously, will conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable, and will prepare measures to prevent such accidents from happening again."
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