Debris from the Long March 7 rocket launched by the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday morning "may contain remnants of toxic substances", the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said.

In its advisory, PhilSA confirmed the launch of the Long March 7 rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Site in Wenchang, Hainan at around 5:34 am.

"Expected debris from the rocket launch was projected to have fallen within the identified drop zones approximately 33 nautical miles away from Bajo de Masinloc, 88 NM away from Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro, 51 nautical miles away from Recto Bank, and 118 nautical miles away from Busuanga, Palawan," it stated.

The agency reiterated its advice for the public to inform the local authorities and avoid close contact if suspected debris is sighted which may allegedly pose "danger and potential risk" to vessels passing the drop zone.

"Unburned debris from rockets, such as the booster and faring, 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 agency said.

"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," it added

PhilSA cautions the public "against retrieving or coming in close contact with these materials that may contain remnants of toxic substances such as rocket fuel." Robina Asido/DMS