PhilSA warns of debris after Chinese rocket launch

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Tuesday confirmed China's launch of a Long March 4B rocket, warning the Filipino public of the threats from the fallen debris.

PhilSA said the rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province at around 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

"Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 243 NM away from Philippine Rise and 318 NM away from Panay Island, Catanduanes," the advisory read.

Unburned debris from the rocket, such as the booster and faring, are designed to be discarded, PhilSA said.

The public was advised to inform local authorities of suspected debris sightings, and avoid retrieving or coming in contact with the materials that may contain toxic substances such as rocket fuel.

"While not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone," PhilSA said.

"There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts," it added.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard advised mariners to take precautionary measures following PhilSA's advisory.

Last August, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Ilocos Region issued a similar warning about possible debris falling from a Chinese rocket, particularly the Long March 7A rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan, China.

The identified drop zones were approximately 38 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, and 66 nautical miles from Santa Ana, Cagayan. — VDV, GMA Integrated News