White Phosphorus Leak Prompts Evacuations Near Seoul

Authorities in South Korea issued an evacuation order for civilians after an apparent leak of white phosphorus occurred at a U.S. military base close to Seoul.

Around 5 PM local time, officials from Pyeongtaek directed residents near Osan Air Base to relocate to a safer area and established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter. Fortunately, the evacuation was lifted after several hours.

The U.S. 51st Fighter Wing labeled the incident a “ground incident” in a statement given late Tuesday, which noted that it happened at 5:08 PM.

In the statement, they mentioned that emergency response teams were managing the situation carefully. They emphasized that the safety of service members, their families, and the local community is their primary concern.

Sgt. Eric Flores, a wing spokesman, clarified that the incident took place in a secure ammunition storage area on the base, assuring that there was no danger to the public.

Flores detailed that the ammunition at the base requires special handling procedures in dedicated storage areas, ensuring proper management.

“This situation was confirmed during a routine inspection of munitions on Tuesday,” Flores stated. “We regularly conduct checks to keep our inventory secure and complete.”

Local officials communicated to residents that decontamination efforts at the base had been successfully concluded.

White phosphorus is a toxic material that ignites upon contact with oxygen, burning at extremely high temperatures. It’s commonly used in incendiary devices and smoke bombs. The substance poses severe risks, including deep burns and potential lung damage if inhaled or ingested. Its volatile nature requires it to be stored submerged in water.