PhilSA warns public of Chinese rocket debris falling in waters off Northern Luzon

Debris from the People’s Republic of China’s Long March 7A rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the Philippines exclusive economic zone and its archipelagic waters, according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

In an advisory on Tuesday night, PhilSA warned that expected debris may fall in the following drop zones (DZ):

DZ 1

• Approximately 41 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte
• 62 NM away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan

DZ 2

• 69 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan'
• 81 NM away from Camiguin Norte

PhilSA said the Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 12:16 a.m. on May 27, 2026.

The details of the rocket drop zone were disclosed through a Notice to Airmen warning of an “aerospace flight activity.”

PhilSA also disseminated a pre-launch report to relevant government agencies and authorities before the launch.

PhilSA urged the public to inform local authorities if they spot suspected debris. It also cautioned against retrieving or coming into close contact with these materials, which may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel.

According to PhilSA, 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," the space agency 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 to the atmosphere of the rocket’s upper stages returning from outer space cannot be ruled out at this time," it added.—LDF, GMA News