A South Korean naval patrol aircraft crashed near Pohang on Thursday during a training exercise, triggering an emergency response from local authorities. Eyewitnesses reported seeing an object fall from the sky, followed by a loud explosion.
The aircraft, identified as a P-3C patrol plane, took off from its base in Pohang at 1:43 p.m. but crashed shortly thereafter. The South Korean Navy has yet to clarify the cause of the crash or the condition of the four crew members aboard.
Officials confirmed that no civilians were harmed on the ground. However, Pohang's Nambu Police Station has not provided details regarding any possible injuries or fatalities among the crew. Rescue teams and firefighting units remain on site, managing the aftermath and conducting search and rescue operations.
The incident is the latest in a series of aviation accidents in South Korea, following a deadly passenger jet crash at Muan International Airport in December last year that resulted in nearly 180 fatalities. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this crash to ascertain its cause and prevent future occurrences.
