The US has downed a suspected Chinese spy balloon that has been flying over its airspace.
Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon descending toward the water – off the Carolina coast.
US military jets were seen flying in the vicinity and ships were deployed in the water to mount the recovery operation.
Officials were aiming to time the operation so they could recover as much of the debris as possible before it sinks into the ocean.
President Joe Biden had warned the US was “going to take care of” the craft after it was spotted again on Saturday – this time over North Carolina.
Ahead of the operation, flights were suspended at several airports.
The discovery of the balloon has stirred tensions and a diplomatic row between China and the US.
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The US claims the craft is a suspected spy balloon and says it has committed a “clear violation” of its sovereignty.
China insisted it is used for meteorological and other scientific research, and had been blown off course.
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The object is believed to have flown over the Aleutian Islands, off the coast of Alaska, and through Canada before entering the US earlier this week.
It is operating at 60,000ft and is manoeuvrable, the Pentagon has said.
