Photos from the US navy show the downed suspected Chinese spy balloon being removed by hand from the Atlantic Ocean.

The device, believed by the US to be a Chinese surveillance balloon, was shot down by fighter jets off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.

Members of the navy’s explosives disposal group hauled, what is described as a high-altitude surveillance balloon, out of the waters off the coast of Myrtle Beach.

Sheets of white debris and black poles can be seen being handled by sailors, with officials describing the balloon as being roughly 60m (200ft) tall and most likely weighing 71st (1,000lbs).

Two navy ships, one with a crane for recovery, were sent for the removal but the photos showed material being pulled by hand.

China has said the balloon was an airship that accidentally flew over the US. It accused politicians and the media of taking advantage of the situation.

Authorities had waited until the balloon went over the Atlantic to shoot it down given its size and weight and the associated risk to people and property.

Examination of the object will now take place to determine what it is.

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On Monday, the US coast guard imposed a security zone in the waters to facilitate the military search and recovery operation.

Intelligence is hoped to be gained by retrieving the balloon and as many of its components as possible, a White House spokesperson said.

A diplomatic crisis was sparked by the arrival of the object with US secretary of state Antony Blinken cancelling his visit to the world’s second largest economy as a result.

The much-anticipated visit was to be the first of its kind since 2018.

Read more:
How a ‘spy’ balloon inflated US-China tensions

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But the Chinese foreign ministry called the balloon shooting an “obvious overreaction” that “seriously violated international conventions”, in a statement on Sunday.

It warned of “serious repercussions”.

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