The FBI will examine what may be debris from a balloon found by fishermen off the coast of Alaska, multiple sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
The fishing vessel carrying the debris is expected to return to shore sometime this weekend, sources said, at which time the FBI will get its first look at what was recovered.
In this July 5, 2016, file photo, the FBI seal is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, D.C.
Yuri Gripas/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
“The FBI is aware of debris found off the coast of Alaska by a commercial fishing vessel. We will work with our partners to assist with the logistics of the debris recovery,” the agency said in a statement.
Officials cautioned that because they do not have possession of the materials, it is too early to make any determination about what was recovered, where it came from and whether it part of any foreign surveillance operation.
Once the FBI gets custody of the materials, other agencies within the U.S. government will likely be consulted about next steps.
On Jan. 28, 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon entered U.S. airspace north of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, according to a senior military official, before being eventually shot down on Feb. 4, 2023, off the coast of South Carolina.
The prospect of China spying on the U.S. undetected created a political firestorm.
In this Feb. 4, 2023, file photo, a Chinese surveillance balloon is seen flying above Charlotte, N.C.
Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, FILE
Sources said no decision has been made about taking the materials to the FBI lab at Quantico, Virginia or anywhere else.
Such a decision would only be made after a preliminary examination of the collected debris, they said.
The discovery of the possible balloon was first reported by CNN.
An Alaska fisherman made a surprising discovery recently when he pulled up what appeared to be balloon debris while out at sea. The find has since prompted an investigation by the FBI, leaving many wondering what exactly was found and what it could mean.
The fisherman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, was fishing in the waters off the coast of Alaska when he noticed something unusual caught in his net. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a piece of debris that looked like it could be from a balloon. Concerned about what it could be and where it came from, he reported the find to authorities.
The FBI quickly became involved in the investigation, sending agents to examine the debris and determine its origin. While initial reports have not confirmed exactly what the debris is or where it came from, speculation has arisen that it could be related to a recent high-altitude balloon launch.
High-altitude balloons are often used for scientific research, weather monitoring, and even commercial purposes. However, they can also be used for more nefarious activities, such as espionage or surveillance. This has led some to speculate that the debris found by the fisherman could be related to a covert operation.
The FBI has not released any further information about the investigation or what they have discovered so far. However, they have confirmed that they are taking the matter seriously and are working diligently to determine the origin of the debris.
In the meantime, the fisherman who made the discovery has been hailed as a hero for his quick thinking and willingness to report the find to authorities. His actions have potentially prevented a larger incident from occurring and have brought attention to the importance of vigilance when it comes to unusual discoveries at sea.
As the investigation continues, many are left wondering what exactly was found by the Alaska fisherman and what it could mean for national security. Only time will tell what the FBI uncovers in their investigation of this mysterious balloon debris.
