After the ninth loud explosion of the Starship rocket, Elon Musk’s SpaceX base in Boca Chica faced another failure. During the clearing of debris at the accident site, a heavy crane crashed, exacerbating safety concerns at the facility.
Wow. This has always been one of my biggest fears in every industry I've worked in.
I hope everyone is alright
🎥: @LabPadre pic.twitter.com/OkHsiMeXKm
— Zack Golden (@CSI_Starbase) June 24, 2025
Attentive observers of the Starbase noticed the incident during an online broadcast from the fan site LabPadre. Footage showed how one of the cranes working at the Starship crash site suddenly collapsed. The rocket explosion that occurred earlier was so powerful that it was recorded by the local meteorological radar.
“This has always been one of my biggest fears in every industry I’ve worked in,” shared Zack Golden, a SpaceX fan who was the first to notice the crane falling, on social media. Information about possible casualties or the exact causes of the accident is not yet available. SpaceX and LabPadre have not commented.
International reaction to the rocket explosion
The Starship explosion caused more than just local damage. Significant debris from the rocket fell on the territory of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, crossing the border. This provoked a sharp reaction from the Mexican authorities.
President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the launch of an investigation into possible violations of international law by Musk’s company. “There is indeed contamination,” she emphasized, threatening to file lawsuits after the inspection is completed.
Chronicle of Starbase problems
The Starbase facility in Boca Chica, which has already been granted official city status, has long been a cause for concern in terms of security. A Reuters investigation back in 2023 revealed hundreds of reported injuries among workers. The facility is regularly exposed to the effects of Starship crash tests, including debris scatter.
Although no injuries were reported after the latest explosion, the crane incident and debris fall in Mexico have intensified criticism of SpaceX’s operating methods and their impact on the environment and safety.
The question of whether the crane lifted the Starship debris at the moment of collapse remains open. The cleanup efforts are likely to be complicated by a new accident. Responses from SpaceX regarding the details of the incident and possible consequences are expected.
Earlier, we reported on how Elon Musk wasn’t bothered by the constant explosions of Starship.
According to Futurism
