A South Korean solider was confirmed dead and six others wounded in an explosion accident during an artillery drill Friday in the eastern border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Yonhap news agency reported.

The military authorities were quoted as saying the accident occurred at around 3:00 p.m. local time (0600 GMT) at a gunnery range in Cheorwon, Gangwon province that borders the DPRK.

The seven soldiers suffering minor and serious injuries were taken to a nearby hospital, but one died while being treated.

The exact cause of the accident has yet to be identified. An investigation was underway.