The FBI is investigating possible debris from a Chinese spy ship that flew over Alaska early last year after fishermen reported a strange find on Friday.
According to ABC News, an Alaskan fishing boat picked up the debris several days ago and plans to return to shore this weekend and turn it over to the FBI for investigation.
“The FBI is aware of debris found off the coast of Alaska by commercial fishing vessels. We are working with our partners to assist with the logistics of debris recovery,” it said in a statement Friday.
FBI officials said in response to the report that they have not yet determined whether the aircraft was foreign, but the recovered material is similar to material recovered from a Chinese reconnaissance balloon seen last year at Quantico. He stressed that it was being taken to the FBI laboratory.
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In 2023, the U.S. military carries debris from a Chinese surveillance balloon onto a boat off the coast of South Carolina. Similar debris has reportedly been found off the coast of Alaska. (US fleet)
President Biden’s administration came under fire last year after U.S. intelligence agencies tracked a Chinese balloon that entered U.S. airspace over Alaska, then traveled across the continental United States before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. was hit by.
U.S. intelligence agencies acknowledged at the time that the balloon was not an isolated incident and that debris recovered this week in Alaska may be of the same origin.
Military tracks high-altitude balloon over western U.S.
In this image provided by the Department of Defense on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, a U.S. Air Force U-2 pilot looks down on a Chinese surveillance balloon hovering over the United States on February 3, 2023. (Department of Defense, via AP, File)
The United States intercepted another high-altitude balloon over Utah in late February, but officials said it was determined to be a hobby balloon and eventually left U.S. airspace.
“The balloon was intercepted by a NORAD fighter aircraft over Utah and determined to be uncontrollable and not a threat to national security. NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon,” NORAD said in a statement. “The FAA has also determined that the balloons do not pose a risk to flight safety. NORAD continues to work closely with the FAA to ensure flight safety.”
The remains of the downed Chinese balloon were taken to an FBI facility in Quantico. (US fleet)
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China initially claimed that last year’s balloon was just a weather balloon that veered off course and entered U.S. airspace. U.S. authorities noted that the aircraft was equipped with surveillance equipment and determined this to be false.
