FBI Investigates Debris from Suspected Chinese Spy Craft Found in Alaska

The FBI is currently investigating possible debris from a Chinese spy craft that flew over Alaska early last year. The investigation comes after a fisherman reported the curious finding on Friday. An Alaskan fishing vessel recovered the debris and is expected to turn it over to the FBI for examination this weekend.

FBI Statement

The FBI released a statement on Friday regarding the debris found off the coast of Alaska by a commercial fishing vessel. The statement emphasized that the FBI will work with partners to assist with the logistics of the debris recovery. Sources from the FBI have indicated that it has yet to determine whether the craft is of foreign origin.

Previous Incident

President Biden's administration faced a firestorm last year after U.S. intelligence tracked a Chinese balloon entering U.S. airspace over Alaska and crossing the entire continental U.S. before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. U.S. intelligence admitted at the time that the balloon was not an isolated incident, and the debris recovered in Alaska this week may be of the same origin.

Interception of Another Balloon

The U.S. intercepted another high-altitude balloon over Utah in late February, determining it to be a hobbyist balloon that eventually left U.S. airspace. NORAD confirmed that the balloon was not maneuverable and did not pose a threat to national security, and the FAA also concluded that the balloon posed no hazard to flight safety.

China's Initial Claim

China initially claimed that last year's balloons were merely weather balloons that blew off course and sailed into U.S. airspace. However, U.S. authorities found surveillance equipment on the craft, contradicting China's claim.