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'People got into a panic': Reactions to shaking caused by static fire testing at Starbase

'People got into a panic': Reactions to shaking caused by static fire testing at Starbase
12 hours 6 minutes 9 seconds ago Friday, July 10 2026 Jul 10, 2026 July 10, 2026 2:38 PM July 10, 2026 in News - Local
Source: KRGV

A SpaceX test at its Starbase launch site near Boca Chica sent a loud boom across South Padre Island and the surrounding area, according to the city of Brownsville.

Channel 5 News obtained video of the test, which shows fire at the base of the rocket followed by a large cloud of smoke.

The city of Brownsville confirmed in a news release the noise and shaking were caused by a routine SpaceX test conducted on July 10.

Sound waves from the test caused some residents to hear a loud noise or feel vibrations and movement in the ground, the city said.

"Residents who experienced these effects should be aware that they were related to the SpaceX test and were not caused by an earthquake, as some social media reports have suggested," the city said in a news release.

A server at Yummy's Bistro in South Padre Island said the shaking caught many customers off guard.

"You felt everything vibrate... [people got] into a panic," David Ornelas said. "Another family ran outside the restaurant, assuming that the building was going to collapse, so a lot of people get into panic when they're not prepared for this kind of situation."

SpaceX is preparing for its 13th Starship flight test, which could happen as soon as next week pending final approvals.

Watch the video above for the full story.

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