S. Korean officials order evacuation after reported white phosphorus leak at US base

South Korean authorities briefly ordered evacuations on Tuesday due to what they said was a white phosphorus leak at a U.S. military base near Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea -- 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 at the Osan Air Base was detected at around 5 p.m. They lifted the evacuation order several hours later, saying decontamination work had been completed, according to text messages sent out by the city.

In a statement, the U.S. 51st Fighter Wing did not mention a leakage of white phosphorus but said it established a 1,000-foot (300-meter) safety cordon around the base “due to a ground mishap and out of an abundance of caution” to protect the base and the local populace. It said reports of a general evacuation of the air base were false.

“We are handling this matter with the utmost care and expediency,” it said. “The safety and well-being of our service members, their families, and our Pyeongtaek neighbors remain our absolute highest priority.”

White phosphorus is a controversial chemical substance used in incendiary munitions and smoke shells. When ignited, it can burn at extremely high temperatures and can set buildings ablaze and burn human flesh to the bone.