PhilSA: Long March 6A rocket debris may fall into waters off Northern Luzon

Debris from the launch of China's Long March 6A rocket on Thursday morning may fall into waters off Northern Luzon, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.

PhilSA said the Long March 6A rocket was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, at around 9 a.m.

According to the agency, the rocket's debris was projected to fall within any of three designated drop zones: approximately 83 nautical miles (NM) from Dalupiri Island in Cagayan, 88 NM from Babuyan Island, and 104 NM from Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

"Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and fairing, are designed to be discarded as the rocket enters outer space. 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. Additionally, the possibility of an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere of the rocket's upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time."

PhilSA urged the public to immediately inform local authorities if they sight suspected rocket debris and warned against retrieving or handling the materials, which may contain toxic substances, including remnants of rocket fuel. —VBL, GMA News