The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed Tuesday the launch of China’s Long March 7A rocket, with debris expected to have fallen in waters near Cagayan and Ilocos Norte.
According to PhilSA, the rocket was launched at around 10 a.m. from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China. Debris is projected to have landed approximately 58 nautical miles from Dalupiri Island, 37 NM from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, 92 NM from Camiguin Norte, and 79 NM from Santa Ana, Cagayan.
In an advisory, PhilSA urged the public to immediately report any sighted debris to local authorities and warned against touching or retrieving them due to possible toxic substances such as rocket fuel.
“The risk of debris falling onto populated areas is very low. There is a possibility that the discarded rocket debris may float around the drop zone area and may wash towards the coasts,” said PhilSA Director Marc Talampas.
The agency also advised the use of personal protective equipment if contact with debris is unavoidable and cautioned ships, aircraft, and fishing vessels passing through the drop zone to stay alert.