Residents of China’s Shandong province were startled by a bright flash and a loud explosion in the night sky. The event, which occurred last week, has sparked widespread speculation on Chinese social media platforms. Videos circulating online appear to show a missile-like object streaking across the sky before detonating in a fiery explosion. The incident has garnered over 150 million views on Weibo, China’s largest social media platform, with users offering various theories. Some suggested it might be a drone due to its slow speed, while others jokingly proposed it was an alien encounter. Some users speculated it was a military training exercise.
According to reports, people in Weifang city witnessed a burning object moving rapidly in the sky around 9 PM on Friday. The object appeared to collide with another before exploding. The impact caused windows to rattle in residential areas, leading to alarm among the public. One local resident, filming with a mobile phone, speculated that a missile had been launched. However, there has been no official information provided by either the city’s disaster management agency or relevant departments in Shandong province.
Notably, on September 11th, China’s Maritime Safety Administration issued a warning for live-fire drills in two areas of the Bohai Sea, near Weifang and the nearby Weibei Artillery Test Range. These exercises took place from September 12th to 14th. Therefore, it’s speculated that the explosion observed in the sky might have been part of an air defense drill.
The operations of the Chinese military are known for their secrecy. Details regarding defense budgets and weaponry are often kept confidential. This secrecy contributes to the rapid spread of mystery and rumors surrounding unusual events. While official explanations are lacking, most experts believe this incident is more likely related to Chinese military exercises rather than extraterrestrial activity or UFOs.
