PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed on Wednesday that a loud explosion heard in parts of Palawan earlier this week coincided with the launch of China’s Long March 12 rocket.
In a statement, the NBI-Puerto Princesa District Office (NBI-PUERDO) said residents reported hearing a deep, reverberating boom from the sky on the evening of August 4, 2025 prompting fears of a possible aerial or seismic event.
Initial findings indicate that the acoustic shockwave was likely caused by the rocket’s stage separation or atmospheric propulsion effects, following its liftoff from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, China, between 6:14 p.m. and 6:42 p.m.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) confirmed the timing and trajectory of the launch, noting that potential debris zones were projected about 21 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef.
No injuries or property damage were reported, but the incident sparked temporary alarm among coastal communities.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid contact with any suspected rocket fragments, warning of possible toxic residues.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation in coordination with disaster response agencies and space authorities.