Drone sightings in New Jersey spark concern, conspiracies

Lawmakers demand clarity, call for action; officials say no evidence of security risk

An Iranian mothership? Alien activity? Overly dedicated hobbyists?

These are just a few of the theories being floated about the witness sightings of large, mysterious drones flying over New Jersey in recent weeks, spooking residents across the state.

The Newark office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), state police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness have said witnesses over the past several weeks have described seeing "a cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft".

The local authorities are calling on the public to report any information they might have, and even a US senator is patrolling the state for sightings.

The drones have been spotted hovering above critical infrastructure such as water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments and military installations, Florham Park police chief Joseph Orlando said in a Facebook post.

Sightings have been occurring nightly, beginning just after sunset and lasting into the early hours of the morning, he added.

A reporter for Bloomberg has seen on several occasions over the past few weeks large, noiseless objects with blinking lights hovering overhead. This past weekend, four were spotted flying simultaneously in the South Jersey town of Mount Holly.

White House, Pentagon and other national security officials have rebuffed the conspiracies about the drones and their origin, saying there is no evidence they pose a security risk or of any drones entering restricted airspace.