US shoots down Chinese ‘spy’ balloon

By Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - The US on Saturday shot down the suspected Chinese spy balloon, which had been spotted over US airspace, off the Carolina coast, according to multiple US media reports.

An operation is underway to recover debris from the balloon in the Atlantic Ocean, the reports added.

The move came after US President Joe Biden said his administration "will take care" of the high-altitude balloon.

The sighting had stirred diplomatic tension, with Washington saying it violated its sovereignty while Beijing regretted the “unintended entry” by a "civilian airship used for research."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had postponed his planned trip to China following the "irresponsible act."