China rocket launch debris near Palawan, PH agency confirms

Residents in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing falling debris on August 4, shortly after China launched a rocket.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that the smoke trail and loud sound reported were associated with the launch of China's Long March 12 rocket from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center.

PhilSA had issued prior warnings about the rocket launch and its projected debris zone, which was near Puerto Princesa and Tubbataha.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that the noise was likely caused by a sonic boom from the rocket's propulsion and stage separation.

The rocket's flight path crossed near Palawan airspace, and its debris zones were identified about 21 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año condemned the rocket test, warning that falling debris remains a serious threat to life and property.

Philippine authorities deployed surface and aerial assets to locate any remnants of the rocket.