RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 2 sources
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A white phosphorus "leak" at a joint U.S.-South Korean military base triggered a temporary evacuation order for local residents near to the facility south of Seoul, South Korea's government said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at Osan Air Base, Seoul's safety ministry said. The site is home to the U.S. Air Force's 51st Fighter Wing, which said it had put a 1,000-foot cordon in place shortly after 5 p.m. local time after a "ground mishap."
The air base was not fully evacuated, the U.S. military said, adding the cordon was established "out of an abundance of caution" and it was an "isolated situation."
City officials in Pyeongtaek, the nearest city to the air base, said the evacuation order was lifted at 6:13 p.m. local time.
White phosphorus is a waxy substance that ignites when exposed to oxygen, producing toxic fumes. It's often used by military forces, including American troops, to light up battlefields or create smokescreens during battles.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.