Spy balloon debris to wash ashore; Brunswick towns asking public to report findings

After a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down by a U.S. warplane on Saturday afternoon near North Myrtle Beach, S.C., some of the pieces are expected to wash ashore in the North Carolina area.

The towns of Sunset Beach and Caswell Beach in Brunswick County made announcements asking residents to contact their local law enforcement agency to collect anything they find.

"Debris should not be touched, moved, or removed," Sunset Beach officials said. "Such items are part of a federal investigation and tampering could interfere in that investigation."

Previous local coveage:Chinese balloon taken down off SC coast; Wilmington-area residents give eyewitness accounts

Balloon shot down:Video shows moment US shot down suspected Chinese spy balloon after Americans reported sightings Saturday

The U.S. military began collecting pieces of debris after the Saturday incident near the coast of South Carolina. According to reports, the balloon had been flying at about 60,000 feet and estimated to be the size of three school buses. Residents along the Southeastern North Carolina coast saw the balloon pass overhead.

When the balloon came to the area, airspace around the Wilmington International Airport closed and flights were grounded. The airport continued normal operations after it was taken down.

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Reporter Chase Jordan can be reached at cjjordan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Sunset Beach asking public to report spy balloon debris