Chinese Rocket Crashes in Gobi Desert, Area Sealed Off, Photos Deleted, No Explanation From China

[Breaking: this article will be updated regularly during the next hours]

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Saturday, a Chinese Aerospace rocket crashed in Bulong Gachaa, in Arbas subdivision of Otog County, Ordos Administrative Region–a remote region in inner Mongolia. The rocket caused a large explosion and impact crater, and was witnessed by many local residents.

Mongolians in the area have been evacuated from their homes, according to Chinese news agency Epoch Times.

After the crash, photos were posted on Chinese Sina Weibo social media platform, showing clouds of orange smoke and wreckage bearing China Aerospace logos, but the photos were since deleted.

The rocket had originally been reported as a missile on social media, but this description was retracted.

China has not offered any explanation about the crash, and authorities quickly cleaned up the wreckage, according to eyewitnesses.

By Day Blakely Donaldson

Chinese Rocket Crashes in Gobi Desert, Area Sealed Off, Photos Deleted, No Explanation From China