US military says, Suspected Chinese spy balloon was same size as 20-storey building

A suspected Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by the US over the weekend was 60m (200ft) tall - comparable to a 20-storey building.

The balloon was shot down with a missile fired by an F-22 fighter aircraft, about six nautical miles off the coast near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Pentagon officials said on Sunday.

Television footage showed a small explosion, followed by the balloon descending toward the water.

The height of the balloon, twice the size of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree - as well as the load - were factors in the "decision-making process" to wait and shoot the object down until it was over the Atlantic Ocean, NBC reported.

Pentagon officials said they feared debris could cause civilian injuries, death or damage to properties. Another concern was that the balloon may have been carrying explosives, Mr VanHerck added.