Washington: A Chinese spy balloon that entered US airspace was shot down. The balloon was shot down by a missile from an F-22 jet fighter as it entered the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina.

The balloon was blown up on Saturday afternoon after President Joe Biden gave the go-ahead. Before the shooting, services from three airports within a 100 square kilometer radius of the Atlantic Ocean had been cancelled. The wreckage of the balloon, which fell into the sea six nautical miles off the US coast, will be recovered and examined.

The balloon, the size of three school buses, flew at an altitude of 60,000 feet. The balloon waited until it was over the sea because there was a risk of falling debris if it was fired while passing through populated areas. The US military has begun efforts to locate the remains of the balloon. Two ships have been launched to search for this.

The detection of China's spy balloon in US skies has exacerbated diplomatic issues between the two countries. Following this, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkon canceled his visit to China.

The Chinese claim that the balloon came astray. China also explained that the balloon was sent to study the weather.

China's spy balloon has also reportedly been spotted in Latin America. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder confirmed this. The first gray balloon was found in sparsely populated Montana.

Defense sources there said that the balloon was also seen in Canada before reaching Montana. Bordering Canada, Montana is a region of great military importance to the US.