Unforeseen Fallout: Rocket Crash Leads to Fear and Evacuation
Residents of a village in China were gripped by panic after debris from a rocket crashed nearby shortly after launch.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the province of Sichuan, southwestern China, leaving locals startled and worried.
Videos captured the aftermath following the launch of the Long March 2C rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The rocket was carrying the Space Variable Objects Monitor, a satellite developed jointly by China and France to study distant stellar explosions known as gamma-ray bursts, according to Digi24.
Immediate Response and Toxic Concerns
As the rocket debris fell, residents fled in fear amid concerns of a possible explosion. Witnesses reported seeing a long, cylindrical object plummet from the sky, striking the ground on the edge of a hill and emitting a cloud of orange smoke. The toxic nature of the smoke raised alarm among locals, as it posed potential health risks due to its chemical composition.
Government Notification and Safety Measures
In a swiftly deleted government notification reposted by a local shortly after the incident, authorities announced a debris recovery mission in Xinba city, near Xianqiao village, where the rocket remnants landed. Prior to the launch, residents in the area had been advised to evacuate homes and buildings and seek open areas to observe the sky, indicating some awareness of potential risks. Authorities later cautioned against approaching the rocket debris to avoid exposure to toxic gases and the risk of explosions. They also prohibited residents from taking photos of the debris or sharing relevant videos online, underscoring safety concerns.
