Palawan authorities warn of another China rocket launch

Puerto Princesa City — The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of the Palawan provincial government warned the public on Thursday about another Long March 8 rocket the People’s Republic of China is set to launch on Sunday, October 25.

The launch is scheduled between 9:42 a.m. and 10:43 a.m., after which rocket debris is expected to fall inside two predetermined drop zones.

Drop Zone 1 includes areas located about 107 nautical miles from Patag Island in the West Philippine Sea, 122 nautical miles from Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal), 164 nautical miles from El Nido town, and 167 nautical miles from Busuanga town.

READ: PhilSA confirms China’s Long March 12 rocket launch

Drop Zone 2, on the other hand, is located about 42 nautical miles from Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan province, 42 nautical miles from the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, 53 nautical miles from Pangutaran Island in Sulu, and 122 nautical miles east of Puerto Princesa City.

DZ 1 areas were identified inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while DZ 2 areas are within the waters inside the Philippine archipelago.

Mariners were advised to avoid the designated drop zone during the rocket launch.

Rocket parts such as boosters and payload fairings are designed to be discarded and fall back yo Earth once the launch enters its final stage, and may endanger vessels within the drop zones. 

People have been advised to take caution when encountering suspected debris and report it to authorities for proper disposition and handling./coa

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