Pingtung county government demands explanation after off-course rocket alarms villagers before crashing in remote area
3-MIN READ3-MINLawrence Chungin TaipeiPublished: 8:00pm, 19 Aug 2026Taiwan’s first test of a locally developed satellite launch vehicle failed on Wednesday after the rocket veered off course, terrifying nearby villagers who mistook it for an incoming missile.
The rocket was launched at around 6am local time from the Jiupeng missile testing base in southern Pingtung county.
Witnesses said the projectile climbed briefly before suddenly changing direction away from the sea and towards the mountains.
“Something’s gone wrong! Oh no! The village!” locals could be heard shouting in video footage circulating online.
The rocket finally crashed in an uninhabited mountainous area, sending thick smoke over the hillside. No casualties or property damage were reported.
