Palawan: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday said it is investigating the explosion supposedly arising from a test rocket over Palawan province and urged to avoid contact with any debris that may have fallen from the sky.

According to Philippines News Agency, NBI Director Jaime Santiago urged the public 'to avoid contact with any suspected rocket fragments due to potential toxic fuel residues' and to remain calm, as authorities are working diligently to manage the situation.

The NBI-Puerto Princesa City District Office (NBI-PUERDO) reported that the explosion took place on Aug. 4, with residents across Puerto Princesa City reporting hearing a loud blast emanating from the sky. The sound was described as a deep and reverberating boom, prompting concern among local communities and initial speculation of an aerial or seismic event.

No immediate damage or injuries were reported, but the incident caused temporary alarm, particularly in the coastal barangays. Subsequent verification conducted by NBI-PUERDO revealed that the explosion coincided with the scheduled launch of China's Long March 12 rocket, which occurred between 6:14 p.m. and 6:42 p.m., from the Hainan International Commercial Launch Center in Wenchang, Hainan province.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the rocket's trajectory passed near Palawan, with potential debris zones identified approximately 21 nautical miles off Puerto Princesa and 18 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reef. The Philippine Space Agency (PSA) confirmed that the acoustic shockwave was consistent with atmospheric effects from high-altitude rocket propulsion and stage separation.