Emergency alert warns of white phosphorus leak at US base in South Korea 

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Emergency crews established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter here on Tuesday after an apparent white phosphorus leak prompted local authorities to briefly order nearby residents to evacuate.

The 51st Fighter Wing described the event as an isolated “ground mishap” and did not confirm that white phosphorus was involved.

Wing spokesman Master Sgt. Eric Flores told Stars and Stripes by email at 8:52 p.m. Tuesday that the incident occurred within an isolated munitions storage area inside the base. He said there is no threat to the public, and no base-wide or off-base evacuation was required.

He said an “incorrect evacuation message” was issued at 5:08 p.m. via At Hoc, the emergency mass messaging system.

Flores described the material involved as “munitions that require specialized handling at one of our munitions storage areas.”

“The situation was identified during a routine inspection of our munitions on Tuesday,” he said. “We routinely check our munitions and regularly conduct inspections to ensure our inventory is fully accounted for and secure. “

The cordon was established at approximately 5:08 p.m. “out of an abundance of caution” to protect personnel and nearby residents, according to a wing news release.

Protocol dictates that when items requiring specialized handling are identified during routine inspections, the base establishes a safety cordon and mobilize emergency ordnance disposal and fire professionals, Flores said.

Residents near the base received an emergency mobile alert at 5:37 p.m. from Pyeongtaek city warning of a white phosphorus leak on the base. The alert advised people in the affected area to evacuate and avoid skin exposure.

A second alert, issued at 6:13 p.m., lifted the evacuation order and said measures to address the leak had been completed. Residents were told they could resume normal activities.

No injuries were reported, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.

Yonhap, citing unidentified officials, reported that white phosphorus leaked from two munitions, though the amount released had not been confirmed.

White phosphorus ignites when exposed to air and can cause severe burns through direct contact or inhalation.

A Pyeongtaek city police spokeswoman confirmed by text message Tuesday night that a U.S. military police interpreter had reported the leak to local police.

The incident involved white phosphorus leaking from two rounds in an ammunition depot on base, the spokesman said.

The case was concluded as having no risk, the official added.

Osan, about 40 miles south of Seoul, is home to the U.S. 7th Air Force.