Fishermen Discover Suspicious Object off Alaska Coast

A group of commercial fishermen off the coast of Alaska stumbled upon an object that has raised concerns, prompting them to deliver it to the FBI for examination.

Object Suspected to Be a Spy Balloon

The object, whose nature is yet to be definitively determined, has sparked suspicions among intelligence experts that it could be a spy balloon similar to ones encountered in the past.

FBI Involvement and Examination

CNN reports that the FBI will analyze the object at their lab in Quantico after the fishermen deliver it to port. The agency became involved after reviewing photographs of the object and deeming it similar enough to past surveillance balloons to warrant further investigation.

Response from Authorities

An FBI spokesperson has confirmed awareness of the debris found by the fishing vessel and indicated that the agency will assist with the logistics of its recovery. Additionally, a Department of Defense official has referred inquiries to the FBI.

Previous Incidents and Concerns

Recent incidents involving suspicious balloons have put defense officials on alert. Last year, a hobbyist’s balloon spotted over the Western US raised concerns, with some suspecting it could be a surveillance device. Another incident involved the military shooting down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Balloons’ Capabilities and Lack of Immediate Threat

The Chinese spy balloon was equipped with “synthetic aperture radar,” enabling it to observe objects even in low light or through clouds. Despite these capabilities, intelligence officials emphasized that the balloons did not pose a direct threat to individuals on the ground. Similar incidents occurred over Latin America and Hawaii last year.