Bataan fisherman finds suspected debris of China’s space cargo ship

Dec 07, 2023

Pictures of the suspected debris from China's first space cargo ship Tianzhou, courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard

MANILA, Philippines — A fisherman in Morong, Bataan found suspected debris from China's space cargo ship, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Thursday.

"A local fisherman in Morong, Bataan discovered wreckage that closely resembled the top section of the Tianzhou, a Chinese automated cargo spacecraft," PCG spokesperson for West Philippine Sea affairs Commodore Jay Tarriela told reporters.

Tarriela said the debris is currently under the custody of the PCG station in Limay, Bataan.

The PCG is coordinating with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) regarding the debris, according to the official.

Back in May, the PhilSA said unburned debris from the Long March 7 rocket — which carries the Tianzhou-4 — is projected to have fallen within three identified drop zone areas that are approximately 65 to 79 kilometers from Bajo de Masinloc.

"The debris is unlikely to have dropped on land features or inhabited areas in the Philippines," the PhilSA had said. "However, discarded debris may float around the area or wash to nearby coasts."

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