Strange spherical objects found on Queensland’s beaches on Sunday could be potentially hazardous “space debris” that has washed ashore, Australian authorities have warned.

Officials collected several similar items along Queensland’s coastline, including in Forrest Beach. The beach was temporarily shut off to the public after a 50-metre exclusion zone was put in place.

Queensland Fire and Rescue (QFR) crews said they were assisting partner agencies after the discovery of potentially hazardous objects around Forrest Beach. QFR scientific teams safely secured a number of the items over the weekend and remained on scene.

Residents in the area—about 2,500 people—were advised not to touch the objects and to move away and call Triple Zero (000) if they found anything suspicious. Authorities said the origin and nature of the debris were still under investigation.

Australia’s national emergency management agency said the objects are likely washed up “space debris” from a rocket launch. Their appearance reportedly matches hydrazine fuel tanks made of titanium alloys used in satellites and spacecraft for manoeuvring. Hydrazine, authorities noted, is highly volatile and corrosive, and is described by experts as a hazardous carcinogen.

The objects were safely secured in drums.

The report also notes that sometimes space debris may not fully burn up during re-entry and can land or wash ashore. Similar debris has been recovered in Australia in past years, including fragments from the Skylab space station in 1979, a SpaceX Dragon trunk found in 2022, and a launch-vehicle pressure vessel recovered in 2023. The Australian Space Agency warned locals not to touch such debris and said technical support may be coordinated with authorities and foreign operators as needed.