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For days he had flown over the USA, after his discovery diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing fell to a low point: on Saturday the suspected Chinese spy balloon came to an end – around 2:30 p.m. in the US state of South Carolina.
Surfside Beach, United States
Ron Lampman, Resident
“We got here in the parking lot and then we saw the balloon up there.
We then watched him for maybe five minutes.
And then we saw vapor trails from jets, and suddenly one of them was rapidly approaching the balloon.”
A US fighter jet then fired a Sidewinder air-to-air guided missile.
Ron Lampman, Resident
“Suddenly something took off from a jet, I knew it was a rocket.
And then you could see the explosion.
We didn't hear anything, but we saw the explosion.
And then he seemed to break apart and fall down.
Now he's floating in the ocean.
Barely visible, but still out there."
Sylvia Combs, Resident
“It looked like a cloud falling from the sky.
Eventually the smoke cleared, and then it slowly floated down into the ocean.
It was a great experience."
Pat Fagan, Resident
“I think it's awful they let him fly that far in the first place.
I heard there are more and more of them.
How many did the Chinese send out?
According to his own statements, US President Joe Biden had already issued the launch order on Wednesday, but a risk for people on the ground should be ruled out.
Therefore, it was decided to destroy the balloon only over the sea.
China called the shooting down a "serious violation" of international practices.
According to the Pentagon, the salvage of the remains of the balloon is in progress - the United States hopes that the rubble will provide information about its mission.