Cagayan towns, island warned of possible accidents due to falling debris from China’s rocket launch

Sta. Ana, Cagayan – Two Cagayan towns and an island have been warned of possible accidents from falling debris from China’s rocket launched into space on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said that the Long March 7A rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan in China at 12:05 a.m.

As the rocket enters the outer space, unburned debris such as the booster and faring are said to be discarded. While said debris are not projected to fall on land or in areas inhabited, they pose danger to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that pass through the drop zone.

These identified drop zones, as revealed by the PhilSA, were projected approximately 64 nautical miles (NM) away from Dalupiri Island, Cagayan, ~79NM away from Camiguin Norte, Cagayan, ~66 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan, and ~41 NM away from Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

“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,” the PhilSA wrote.  

The agency called on the public to immediately inform local authorities if suspected debris from the rocket is sighted. The people are also advised not to retrieve or come in close contact with said materials, as they may contain toxic substances.