MAZAN (84) 25.12.2011

In the Mazan case dated 25 December 2011, a witness saw an orange point move east toward north at about 45° elevation and steady speed for 1–2 minutes, then vanish abruptly (see the sky-chart reconstruction). A gendarmerie report reached GEIPAN in March 2012. The description fits a sky lantern. Weather records show light, variable wind blowing south to north at 20:00 and 22:00, but north to south at 21:00. This might explain the movement, without certainty. A festive-season release is plausible. GEIPAN retains this explanation and classifies the case B: probable sky lantern.