Soldiers of a special explosives division of the US Navy had to collect the remains of the balloon at sea. This happened off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The images show how sailors managed to pull the remains of the alleged spy agent out of the sea. This shows, among other things, that the balloon consisted of a metal structure surrounded by the balloon. It would have had a total size of more than three school buses.
China denies espionage
China has previously confirmed that the balloon is its own, but denies that it is a spy balloon. China said it was a “civil plane” that “accidentally” entered US airspace. China believes the United States launched the balloon into the air as an “overreaction” and a “forced attack on our unmanned aerial vehicle.” The United States denies these allegations and is convinced that it is a spy balloon that entered US territory deliberately.
Also sighted hot air balloon over Latin America
A balloon was also seen over Latin America last week. It also comes from China, as confirmed by the country itself. According to China, that balloon is also a “drifting weather balloon” that accidentally flew over the airspace of Costa Rica, Colombia and Venezuela. Balloons are a common means of espionage. Not only does China use them, but the United States has also used balloons in the past to gather information about areas, such as during the war in Afghanistan.
Tensions rise between China and the United States
The alleged Chinese spy balloon has further escalated tensions between the US and China, the United Nations warns. A planned visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been cancelled, among other things. While that visit was intended to improve relations between the United States and China.