FBI to examine possible debris of Chinese spy craft found by Alaskan fishermen

 The FBI is investigating the possible wreckage of a Chinese spy plane that flew over Alaska early last year after a fisherman reported the strange discovery Friday.

According to ABC News, an Alaskan fishing vessel recovered the debris a few days ago and is expected to return to shore this weekend and turn it over to the FBI for investigation.

"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 debris recovery," the FBI said in a statement Friday.

FBI sources stressed to the outlet that it has yet to determine whether the plane is of foreign origin, but the recovered material is being taken to the FBI laboratory at Quantico, as a confirmed Chinese official last year The material was recovered from the spy balloon.

President Biden's administration came under fire last year when US intelligence tracked a Chinese balloon that entered US airspace over Alaska before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina. Had previously crossed the entire continental America.

US intelligence acknowledged at the time that the balloon was not an isolated incident, and debris recovered in Alaska this week may have the same origin.

Army detects high-altitude balloon over western US

The US intercepted another high-altitude balloon over Utah in late February, but officials said they determined it was an amateur balloon and it eventually left US airspace.

NORAD said, "The balloon was intercepted by NORAD fighters over Utah, who determined that it was not maneuverable and did not pose a threat to national security. NORAD will continue to track and monitor the balloon." "The FAA also determined that the balloon poses no threat to flight safety. NORAD is in close coordination with the FAA to ensure flight safety."

China initially claimed that last year's balloons were simply weather balloons that flew off their path and into US airspace. US officials considered this to be untrue, considering the surveillance equipment found on the plane.