The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has issued a fresh safety advisory to fishermen and coastal communities in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan as debris from an upcoming Chinese rocket launch is expected to fall within Philippine maritime zones on Sunday night.
According to the PCG, the alert was prompted by information from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), which reported that China will launch its Long March 7A rocket from Hainan’s Wenchang Space Launch Site between 8:12 p.m. and 9:34 p.m. (Philippine time). Based on PhilSA’s projections, certain stages of the rocket are likely to detach and descend into two identified drop zones west of Luzon.
The first drop zone is situated roughly 72 kilometers off Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 111 kilometers from Dalupiri Island in Cagayan. The second lies about 128 kilometers from Santa Ana, Cagayan, and 150 kilometers from Camiguin Norte. While the debris is expected to fall in offshore areas, authorities emphasized that floating fragments may drift toward the coast.
As part of precautionary measures, the Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon has imposed temporary maritime restrictions in both zones. Fishermen, small craft operators, and local residents are strongly advised to avoid the affected waters until clearing operations are completed. The PCG also warned against approaching or retrieving any object suspected to be rocket material.
“Stay clear of these areas and immediately report any floating debris or unusual items to nearby Coast Guard units,” the advisory stated. “These materials may contain hazardous substances, including remnants of rocket fuel.”
The warning follows similar alerts issued earlier this year, after several suspected rocket fragments washed up on Philippine shores—incidents that have heightened anxiety among coastal villages already accustomed to seasonal debris sightings after Chinese launches.
PhilSA previously cautioned that rocket components could pose environmental and health risks due to possible traces of toxic chemicals. In the event that contact with debris is unavoidable, the agency recommended the use of protective equipment and immediate reporting to authorities.
While falling debris typically descends within minutes of launch, past incidents show that fishermen sometimes encounter fragments days later, carried by currents into local fishing grounds. Authorities noted that apart from posing hazards to marine vessels and aircraft, large debris fragments could drift closer to coastal communities depending on sea conditions.
The PCG said it continues to coordinate closely with PhilSA, local government units, and other national agencies to monitor Sunday’s launch and ensure the safety of the public, especially those residing in high-risk coastal areas.