PH space agency warns of falling debris from Chinese rocket launch

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) issued an advisory warning that debris was expected to fall in Philippine waters after China’s Long March 5 rocket was launched Saturday. The agency identified the drop zones about 69 nautical miles from Burgos, Ilocos Norte; 94 nautical miles off of Dalupiri Island, Cagayan; 117 nautical miles from Santa Ana, Cagayan; and 130 nautical miles off of Camiguin Norte. While the debris was not expected to fall on land, PhilSA said falling rocket parts could pose risks to ships, aircraft, and other vessels passing through the drop zones. The agency said the rocket was launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China, at around 8:30 pm.