The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed that China has launched the Jielong-3 rocket, cautioning Filipinos of expected debris from the launch.

The debris was projected to have fallen approximately 94 nautical miles (NM) away from Babuyan Island, and 143 NM away from Santa Ana, Cagayan—areas within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

These details were released via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that warned of an “aerospace flight activity.”

The Jielong-3 rocket was launched from the Yellow Sea Launch Area in the waters off Haiyang, Shandong Province at around 10:38 a.m. (Philippine time) on August 5.

“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. There is also a possibility for the debris to float around the area and wash toward nearby coasts,” the agency said, adding that the rocket’s upper stages may unexpectedly return from outer space.

PhilSA advised the public to report possible debris sightings to authorities and to refrain from retrieving or coming in close contact with the debris, as these may still have remnants of toxic substances, such as rocket fuel.4