Experts have warned that Chinese spy balloons similar to those spotted over the US and Latin America could pose a risk to UK airports. The warnings come after a second Chinese balloon was reported flying over Latin America, following a surveillance balloon that passed over sensitive US military sites in Montana.
The Pentagon confirmed that the balloon over Latin America was another Chinese surveillance craft. US officials said the first balloon, which was tracked for several days, was as big as three buses and could have been used to test America's air defence systems or gather intelligence on electromagnetic emissions.
Retired US Army General John Ferrari warned that such balloons could be used to find holes in air defence systems, and that future balloons could potentially carry weapons. The UK has not yet reported any similar sightings, but experts caution that British airports could be vulnerable to such surveillance.
China has insisted the balloons are civilian airships used for meteorological research that went off course due to winds, but the US rejected this explanation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled a trip to Beijing, calling the balloon flight 'an irresponsible act'.
