Chinese rocket debris may have fallen in waters off Palawan --PhilSA

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Saturday said debris from the Long March 12 rocket launched by China may have fallen in the waters off Palawan.

"Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zone (DZ): approximately 25 NM away from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 19 NM away from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park," PhilSA said in a press release.

"This drop zone is within Philippine archipelagic waters," it added.

The said rocket was launched at around 3:28 AM PhST (Philippine Standard Time) on Saturday from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan, China.

PhilSA said it disclosed the details of the rocket drop zone through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning of an "aerospace flight activity."

The agency said falling debris from rockets "poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone."

The debris may also float around and be washed toward nearby coasts.

PhilSA advised the public to inform local authorities if the debris is sighted.

It also warned against retrieving or coming into close contact with the debris as these may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel. —KG, GMA News