State of emergency called for

FBI investigating thousands of drones in the USA

More than 3000 sightings have been reported to the FBI (archive image).

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Sightings of several drones are puzzling residents and authorities in the US state of New Jersey. For weeks, dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles have been observed there and in neighboring regions at night - some of them even in the airspace above military bases. 

"As soon as you see them, they go dark," New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy told NBC News. "We're taking the situation extremely seriously."

Videos of the mysterious bright lights in the sky are spreading rapidly on social media and causing heated speculation. Theories online range from espionage to secret military exercises to extraterrestrial life.

A man from New Jersey caught a drone sighting on camera:

The drones were larger than the models usually used by hobbyists, officials and eyewitnesses said, according to media reports. Flying objects were also spotted near the golf course of US President-elect Donald Trump in Bedminster.

Pentagon appeases, FBI without answers
The spokeswoman for the US Department of Defense, Sabrina Singh, explained in Washington that these were not American military drones - the Pentagon also has "no evidence at this time that these activities originate from a foreign organization or adversary". Local law enforcement authorities were investigating the matter and US military facilities had "at no time" been threatened.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has also gotten involved - so far without official results. "We are investigating, but I don't have an answer yet as to who is responsible and whether one or more people are behind these drone flights," said FBI representative Robert Wheeler in response to a question from a New Jersey congressman during a hearing on the subject in the US Congress. According to Wheeler, more than 3,000 sightings have been reported to the FBI.

Concernis growing
 Jon Bramnick, Republican in the state Senate, called for immediate action in the face of growing concern. "New Jersey should declare a temporary state of emergency and ban all drones until the public gets an explanation for these numerous sightings," Bramnick said.

Numerous mayors from the affected regions also demanded answers from the New Jersey government. Governor Murphy assured on Platform X that there is currently no known threat to the public. However, they are working closely with federal and security authorities. In this context, he had also spoken with US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Murphy explained.