- South Korean authorities ordered brief neighbourhood evacuations on Tuesday after a leak of white phosphorus inside the U.S. Osan Air Base south of Seoul, the Safety Ministry said.
- At 1708 (0808 GMT), Osan AB established a 1,000-foot safety cordon to protect base and local populace due to a ground mishap and out of an abundance of caution.
- Authorities lifted evacuation orders within 30 minutes as decontamination operations got underway.
- No casualties were reported after the leak at Osan Air Base.
- White phosphorus is a highly toxic substance frequently used in weapons and can catch fire when exposed to oxygen, according to the World Health Organization.
- Emergency response professionals are currently managing an isolated situation on the installation.
- South Korean fire officials and US Forces Korea completed decontamination procedures, leading to the lifting of the evacuation advisory for residents living near the base.
No casualties were reported following a white phosphorus leak at the U.S. Osan Air Base, which led to brief evacuations and a safety cordon being established.145
South Korean authorities acted quickly, ordering evacuations after the leak was detected on Tuesday.
The Safety Ministry confirmed that the leak occurred due to a munitions-related accident, prompting a swift response from emergency professionals.
At 1708 (0808 GMT), a 1,000-foot safety cordon was established around the base to protect both personnel and the local populace.2
Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and evacuation orders were lifted within 30 minutes as decontamination operations commenced.
White phosphorus, known for its toxicity and flammability when exposed to oxygen, is often used in military applications.
The incident highlights the importance of rapid response measures in managing hazardous materials and ensuring public safety.
As the situation was assessed, a spokesperson for the air base stated, “Our emergency response professionals are currently managing an isolated situation on the installation.”6
“No casualties were reported after the leak, which was described as a munitions-related accident. South Korean fire officials and US Forces Korea completed decontamination procedures, allowing authorities to lift the evacuation advisory for residents living near the base.”
