Canada says it's tracking a second 'surveillance balloon' in its airspace

Canada on Thursday said it was tracking another potential "surveillance balloon" at the same time that a confirmed Chinese craft was spotted over the United States. 

A Thursday statement from the Canadian defense ministry said that "a high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected and its movements are being actively tracked by NORAD."

"Canadians are safe and Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident," the ministry said, adding that "NORAD, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, and other partners have been assessing the situation and working in close coordination."

The sighting of the second balloon comes after the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. security forces were actively tracking a Chinese craft in U.S. airspace.

Canadian officials "remain in frequent contact with our American allies as the situation develops," the defense ministry said.