OFFICIALS have warned of potential danger to aircraft and ships of debris from a new Chinese rocket launch that may fall in northern Philippine waters, authorities said, adding that no debris has been sighted so far.

The Philippine Space Agency said China’s Long March 7A rocket was launched on Tuesday night from the Wenchang Space Launch Centre on Hainan island.

That prompted the agency to notify Philippine authorities before China’s rocket launch of potential danger in two offshore areas, where the debris could crash down based on estimates.

The possible “drop zones” were 71km off Burgos town in Ilocos Norte province and 52km from Santa Ana town in Cagayan province, the space agency said.

It cited information from a notice to pilots released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

 - AP