US shoots down suspected Chinese spy balloon

The United States shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the country's east coast, the Pentagon said on Saturday. Earlier this week, US had claimed that the balloon was spying on sensitive military sites across North America. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin first announced the shootdown, saying the balloon was being used by China "in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States." In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a crowd lining the beach boardwalk cheered as a missile from the F-22 fighter struck the balloon. It quickly deflated and plummeted to the ocean.

Moment of US fighter jets shot down the suspected Chinese Spy balloon pic.twitter.com/j6EOqEmf6k

— Eliteworld (@eliteworldwaves) February 4, 2023

According to US local media reports, three US airports were shut down and the suspected spy balloon was shot down off the country's east coast. After extending a ground stop at three airports in North and South Carolina, the Federal Aviation Administration said it has reopened airspace in the area. Hours before the balloon was shot down, US President Joe Biden had vowed to "take care" of the balloon. The balloon was initially detected entering US airspace on January 28. The white orb lingered over Montana, the site of intercontinental-ballistic-missile silos, and made its way across the country to North Carolina on Saturday.