Modern Mysteries

Mystery 'spy balloon' debris recovered by fishermen off the coast of Alaska

By T.K. Randall
March 2, 2024 ·  5 comments

The suspected balloon debris was found in the water (file photo). Image Credit: CC BY-SA 4.0 Gillfoto Only a week after NORAD dispatched fighter jets to intercept a mystery high-altitude balloon over Utah and a year after a Chinese spy balloon was shot down off the coast of South Carolina, reports have suggested that another spy balloon has been found - this time in the sea off the coast of Alaska.

The incident began when a commercial fishing crew pulled what they believed to be the remains of a high-altitude balloon from the water and sent photographs of it to the authorities for verification.

It is understood that FBI agents will meet the crew once they return to shore sometime this weekend and transport the debris to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia for analysis."[We are] aware of debris found off the coast of Alaska by a commercial fishing vessel," the agency said in a statement. "We will work with our partners to assist with the logistics of the debris recovery."

While it isn't currently clear whether or not the debris actually is that of a spy balloon, the description and photographs seem to strongly suggest that it is.

If this does turn out to be the case, it could further erode international relations between the United States and its rivals - especially China if the balloon turns out to be from there.

Given that, from the events of last year, we know that China has been running a high-altitude surveillance operation over North America, it would certainly come as no surprise if this latest balloon (if it does turn out to be one) was also sent by the Chinese.


Source: Telegraph | Comments (5)

Tags: Balloon, Alaska