A Chinese Long March 2D rocket stage crashed dangerously in Guinan County, Qinghai province, days after its launch of the Shiyan-31 satellite on October 13, 2025.

The rocket lift-off occurred from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, successfully placing the Shiyan-31 test satellite into orbit.

However, the first stage of the rocket fell back uncontrollably to Earth, creating alarm due to the impact and toxic fumes released upon crash.

A Long March 2D stage falling to Earth in Guinan county, Qinghai, following the launch of Shiyan-31 from Jiuquan on Oct. 13. H/T @Byron_Wan Video: https://t.co/36QcBgd3Ue https://t.co/Y8Ei3Gou2f pic.twitter.com/RlSrdfzWIj — Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) October 21, 2025

The Long March 2D is a two-stage orbital carrier rocket widely us

See Full Page