South Korean authorities ordered civilians to evacuate areas near Osan Air Base on Tuesday evening, after a white phosphorus leak at the US military facility. The US Army confirmed a 'ground fault' but did not address the hazardous material, which can cause severe burns. The leak was first reported earlier Tuesday.
South Korean authorities ordered civilians to evacuate areas near Osan Air Base on Tuesday evening, following a white phosphorus leak at the US military installation. The US Army acknowledged a 'ground fault' but did not address the hazardous material, which can cause severe burns upon contact.
The leak was first reported earlier Tuesday, when South Korea's safety ministry announced that white phosphorus had been detected at the base. At that time, no details on the scale or cause were released. The evacuation order marks a significant step in the response.
White phosphorus is a chemical agent that ignites in air, causing deep burns. The evacuation suggests authorities are concerned about the spread of the material. The Zioneer reported on the initial leak at 12:22 Jerusalem time. The situation remains under assessment.
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Source and signal
- Open-source intake