The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands have launched probes into SpaceX's explosive Starship rocket test that sent debris streaking over the northern Caribbean and forced airlines to divert dozens of flights.

The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico on a near loop around the world similar to previous test flights. SpaceX had packed it with 10 dummy satellites for practice at

The rocket company said the space vehicle came apart during its ascent. Videos posted to social media showed debris streaking through the sky.

Mission control loses contact with Starship 8 minutes after liftoff; 20 commercial flights div­ert, alter course to avoid debris.

A SpaceX Starship rocket broke up just minutes after launching in Texas, forcing flights over the Gulf of Mexico to change course to dodge falling debris and setting back Elon Musk’s flagship rocket programme.

An American tourist who was visiting Turks and Caicos was left shocked when he caught the explosion of SpaceX's Starship rocket on camera while relaxing on a beach

Stunning footage has captured the moment Thursday's failed SpaceX rocket launch lit up the skies above the Turks and Caicos islands. The impressive display, which saw dozens of burning chunks of the giant spacecraft smear a colorful streak of smoke over the Atlantic,

There is no crew on board the spacecraft, but it is carrying 10 dummy satellites for practice at releasing them.

SpaceX’s Starship prototype failed shortly after launch from Texas, disrupting Gulf air traffic and sparking safety concerns.

Elon Musk’s company revealed that the spacecraft’s six engines shut down one by one, leading to the loss of contact and the mission’s abrupt end. The spacecraft was supposed to soar across the Gulf of Mexico from Texas on a near loop around the world similar to previous test flights.

Government officials in Turks and Caicos said Friday that debris from a SpaceX rocket test that went awry fell over the Caribbean islands but that there have been no reported injuries so far and only minimal damages to property.