A bright fireball was observed over western China at around 21:00 UTC on February 5, 2026, with sightings reported across Yunnan, Sichuan, and Qinghai. Videos and eyewitness accounts show a fast-moving, luminous streak crossing the predawn sky, ending in a bright terminal flash.
A bright fireball was widely reported over western China at 21:09 UTC on February 5, 2026 (05:09 LT on February 6), according to eyewitness accounts and multiple videos shared on social media.
The object was visible across large areas of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Qinghai, suggesting a high-altitude atmospheric phenomenon.
Video recordings show a rapidly moving, intensely luminous streak that briefly illuminated the surrounding landscape. The short duration and visual characteristics are consistent with a meteor bolide:
At around 5 a.m. Beijing time on February 6, a very bright fireball streaked across western China, visible in Yunnan, Sichuan and Qinghai provinces！ pic.twitter.com/PEC36W95OH
— Jim (@yangyubin1998) February 7, 2026
As of February 9, there have been no confirmed reports of injuries, property damage, meteorite recovery, or ground impacts linked to the event. Reports of sonic booms or shockwaves have not been widely documented in publicly available accounts.