Chinese ‘spy balloon’: Photos show US navy pulling downed device from Atlantic Ocean | World News
Photographs from the US navy show a downed Chinese spy balloon being carried out of the Atlantic by hand.
The device that is believed to be a Chinese surveillance balloon by the US has been shoot down by fighter plane off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.
Members of the navy’s explosives disposal team pulled what was described as a high-altitude surveillance balloon out of waters off the coast of Myrtle Beach.
White debris and black columns can be seen being handled by sailors, with officials describing the balloon as about 60m (200ft) high and most likely weighing 71 (1,000lbs).
Two navy ships, one with a crane for salvage, were sent to move but photos show the material being towed by hand.
China said A hot air balloon is an airship that accidentally flew over the United States. It accused politicians and the media of taking advantage of the situation.
Authorities waited until the balloon had crossed the Atlantic to shoot it down due to its size and weight, as well as the risks associated with people and property.
An inspection of the object will now take place to determine what it is.
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The moment the ‘spy hot air balloon’ was shot down
On Monday, the US coast guard established a security zone in the waters to facilitate a military search and recovery operation.
A White House spokesman said it hoped to obtain intelligence by recovering the balloon and as many of its parts as possible.
A diplomatic crisis erupted due to the object’s appearance and as a result, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his visit to the world’s second largest economy.
This highly anticipated visit is the first of its kind since 2018.
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But China’s Foreign Ministry called the ballooning a “clear overreaction” and a “serious violation of international conventions,” in a statement Sunday.
It warns of “serious consequences”.
