Mystery as 'space balls' drop on popular Australian beach – 'do not touch'

Mysterious large objects have washed up on a beach in northern Queensland this weekend. The fire service in the Australian state of Queensland warned about “potentially hazardous objects” along Forrest Beach, just north of Brisbane.

Queensland’s fire department said on Sunday that a 50-metre cordon had been put in place and advised anyone who discovers a suspicious object in the area not to touch it and stay away from it. The Queensland Fire Department wrote on X yesterday: “Queensland Fire and Rescue crews are continuing to assist partner agencies following the discovery of several potentially hazardous objects around Forrest Beach in North Queensland. Specialist QFR Scientific teams have safely secured a number of the items throughout the weekend and remain on scene continuing their work.

“A 50-metre exclusion zone is still in place. If you come across any suspicious objects in the area, do not touch them. Move away and call Triple Zero (000) immediately. The nature and origin of the debris are still being investigated.”

The strange spheres are believed to be so-called ‘space balls’, objects that have fallen to Earth from outer space.

The Australian Space Agency (ASA) has now said that they “appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle”.

A statement also read: “The agency has identified their likely origin. The location and characteristics of the objects are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit.”

The agency added that it was working with international authorities, including its counterparts around the world and experts, to confirm the launch vehicle.

Crews in protective gear were reportedly seen securing the ‘space balls’ in hazardous-material barrels while police maintained a guard presence, the BBC reports.

Forrest Beach Takeaway owner Lisa Scobie said the local community was curious to know their origin.

“It’s very quiet, not a lot happens here. So having a lot of extra activity… that definitely created a little bit of excitement,” she told public broadcaster ABC.