Breaking update:

The latest reporting coming out of Billings, Montana are showing the previously reported and speculated alleged explosion in the sky to be a confirmed hoax, as no explosions have been reported in Billings. Initially, due to the Chinese spy balloon that was spotted in the skies of Montana earlier today, the reports were widely believed and panic grew as a result. However, the official word from local reporters in Montana is indicating that the alleged explosion did not occur.

As reported by Aaron Flint, host of Montana Talks statewide radio show, upon checking with Yellowstone City County dispatch, Flint is reporting that no explosions in the skies of Billings, Montana have been reported to them.

Guys- hold your horses on this “Billings explosion” video…just called Yellowstone City County dispatch…they report nothing so far. Check and verify. #MTNews #spyballoon

Confirming the hoax is the official Twitter account of Billings, Montana, @BillingsMT on Twitter, who reported saying:

We have confirmed with @MontanaDES & @GovGianforte that there have not been any explosions in, around, or across #Montana. They are aware of the video and it can not be substantiated.

We have confirmed with @MontanaDES & @GovGianforte that there have not been any explosions in, around, or across #Montana. They are aware of the video and it can not be substantiated. https://t.co/LDz0jyTC6g

— City of Billings (@BillingsMT) February 4, 2023

According to Montana Talks, Aaron Flint reported, saying:

Airport tower saw nothing. We have no reports from local law enforcement or other first responders. That’s the word I got around 6:40 p.m. Mountain Time as I called Yellowstone City-County Dispatch in Billings, Montana.

Let me be clear: I’m not saying the video is real, I’m not saying the video is fake. I’m just saying we need to verify this report. Based off of what I heard from local emergency dispatchers, we do not have verification that this took place. (And since I live in Billings I should add that I didn’t hear an explosion, nor did I receive messages from friends saying they heard an explosion.)

Montana Gov. Gianforte went onto Tucker Carlson Tonight, saying:

“If it was up to Montanans, this thing would have been taken out of the sky the moment it entered our sovereign airspace, and it clearly had been there for a while. It’s not moving that fast.”

Video of the likely hoax:

There’s been a second balloon spotted in Latin America. Currently, the balloon is being assessed as a second Chinese surveillance balloon, according to Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder – likely removing all credibility of China’s excuse for the initial balloon spotted in Montana.

The Pentagon has confirmed that the balloon spotted in Latin America is just one of several being monitored, while the balloon hasn’t been examined, it is being reported that the belief is that this second Chinese balloon with the intention for spying purposes. It is currently unclear what the Chinese government plans to do with these surveillance balloons, and what the balloon has access to, but there appears to be a significant concern within military and intelligence circles about their intentions for collecting information in this way.

According to Fox News:

Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told Fox News on Friday night that “We are seeing reports of a balloon transiting Latin America. We now assess it is another Chinese surveillance balloon.”

At this time, the Pentagon has not released any specifics on possible plans for responding to the balloons or any actions that China may take in response to the U.S.’s increased surveillance activity. This is still an ongoing story, updates will be provided when they’re made available.