Yangon, Nov. 11 (AFP): A large metal cylinder thought to be from a Chinese satellite or aircraft fell from the sky and slammed into a jade mining area in northern Myanmar, state media reported today.

The large barrel-shaped object, 4.5 metres long and just over a metre in diameter, crashed onto property owned by a jade mining company in Kachin State's Hpakant township yesterday, reported the Global New Light of Myanmar.

Another smaller piece of metal bearing Chinese writing tore through the roof of a house in a nearby village at the same time, the paper said. No one was injured.

"The metal objects are assumed to be part of a satellite or the engine parts of a plane or missile," the Global New Light said.