Search for debris begins after North Korea’s failed rocket-launch
A multi-nation search across the Yellow Sea is sparked by North Korea’s failed rocket-launch which results in debris scattering shortly after take-off.
North Korea's rocket splinters minutes after the launch
Ending quickly in failure, North Korea’s much-awaited rocket splintered into pieces across the Yellow Sea soon after launching.
An international search effort to for the debris has began to investigate what went wrong and discover the rocket technology available in the country.
Shortly after launching the rocket, both the US and South Korea declared the failure which was later confirmed by North Korea in a TV announcement and said the satellite had failed to enter into orbit.
Military assets had been put in place by the US, Japan and South Korea to monitor the process and expected to discover vital data on the capabilities of North Korea’s ballistic missile.
Equipped with weaponry to shoot the rocket down if necessary, two South Korean destroyers began trawling the seas for rocket debris together with South Korean helicopters.
The US military was working together with self-defence teams according to the Japanese government to analyse the rocket’s flight route and debris discovered from the failed rocket launch.
US Navy minesweepers and other ships were also in the area while Japan braced for the possibility of another North Korean nuclear test after the failed rocket launch attempt.
