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A white phosphorus leak was reported Tuesday at a U.S. air base in South Korea, prompting local authorities to issue an emergency evacuation alert for residents in nearby areas.
Police received a report at about 5:07 p.m. local time (08:07 GMT) that white phosphorus had leaked inside K-55 U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, about 65 kilometers south of Seoul.
The base is located in a city that hosts a major U.S. military presence.
The Pyeongtaek municipal government sent an urgent text message advising residents in surrounding areas to evacuate to a safe location to prevent skin exposure.
South Korea’s safety ministry also said a white phosphorus leak had occurred inside the base and issued an evacuation advisory for nearby residents.
No casualties had been confirmed, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
A police official said authorities had received the report from the U.S. military but had not yet confirmed the exact details.
“It is true that a report came in from the U.S. military side, but we have yet to confirm exact details,” the official said.
Police, fire authorities and the military planned to investigate the exact cause of the leak.
White phosphorus is a highly toxic and volatile chemical substance that can ignite spontaneously when exposed to air.
The substance is often used in weapons and can cause severe burns and tissue damage after contact with the skin.
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