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EN
South Korean US military base reportedly had a white phosphorus leak, and residents were evacuated ‘out of an abundance of caution’
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Attack of the Fanboy
South Korean authorities briefly ordered civilians to evacuate on Tuesday following reports of a white phosphorus leak at the Osan Air Base near Seoul, NBC News reported.
While local authorities explicitly identified the issue as a white phosphorus leak, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing provided a slightly different perspective in their official statement.
They did not confirm the presence of white phosphorus, instead describing the event as “a ground mishap.”
White phosphorus is a particularly intense substance that is often used in smoke shells and incendiary munitions.
Because of these properties, the caution exercised by local officials and base command is understandable.