MANILA — Debris from a Chinese Long March 12 rocket launched on Monday, January 19, may have fallen within Philippine waters, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.

In an advisory, PhilSA identified two potential drop zones: 22 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and 14 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

“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 advisory read.

PhilSA noted that debris could also float in the area and potentially wash toward nearby coasts. The agency warned the public against retrieving or approaching these materials, which may contain toxic substances like rocket fuel.

Members of the public are advised to report any suspected debris sightings to local authorities.

The Long March 12 rocket was launched from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan, at approximately 3:48 p.m. on Monday, PhilSA said.