South Korean authorities on Tuesday briefly ordered civilians to evacuate after what they described as a white phosphorus leak at a U.S. military base near the capital, Seoul. Officials in the city of Pyeongtaek urged nearby residents to move to a safe location and avoid skin exposure after the leak was detected at around 5 p.m. at the Osan Air Base. The evacuation order was lifted several hours later after decontamination work at the base was completed.
Police established a perimeter 300 to 500 meters from the base, blocking pedestrians and rerouting vehicles. There were no immediate reports of major disruptions or accidents.
In a statement, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing acknowledged a "ground mishap" and established a 1,000-foot safety cordon around the base "out of an abundance of caution" to protect the base and the local populace, but did not explicitly mention a white phosphorus leak. U.S. Forces Korea did not provide further comment.
"We are handling this matter with the utmost care and expediency," the 51st Fighter Wing stated. "The safety and well-being of our service members, their families, and our Pyeongtaek neighbors remain our absolute highest priority."
White phosphorus is a chemical substance used in incendiary munitions and smoke shells. When ignited, it burns at high temperatures and can cause severe burns.