The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday warned the public to stay alert for possible falling debris from the scheduled launch of China’s Long March 7 rocket.
The launch is expected between Tuesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 17. The rocket will lift off from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan, China, between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Philippine Standard Time.
According to the Philippine Space Agency, parts of the rocket may fall within designated drop zones. NDRRMC cautioned the public against approaching or retrieving any suspected debris to avoid exposure to toxic materials such as rocket fuel.
If contact is made with debris, the agency emphasized the need to use personal protective equipment and to report the incident to local authorities immediately.
Government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have been advised to issue coastal warnings, restrict access to affected areas, and notify mariners in the identified drop zones.
