Durban 'UFO' was satellite debris

The burning fireball crossing Durban's skyline last week was from outer space but "was not a UFO", the African Space Institute said yesterday.

Those who saw the bright light on Tuesday night described it as a glowing circle or ring moving fast towards Earth.

Brad Inggs, a director at the institute, yesterday said the object was part of a rocket launched in Russia in January.

"The rocket was used to send an advanced weather satellite into space and the debris re-entered Earth's atmosphere over Durban," he said.

"We are starting to focus on tracking rockets and debris so we can send out warnings to the public," Inggs said.