LOON-PLAGE (59) 01.06.2013

At 00:02 on 1 June 2013, several people in Loon-Plage (59) saw about 12 yellow-orange lights appear successively and move slowly and silently across the sky. GEIPAN found the very bright balls typical of sky lanterns. After viewing lantern photographs and videos, the reporting witness recognised the phenomenon, which he had never previously seen. A wedding 600 m away was a possible release source. Météociel recorded light wind from west to northwest locally. The source calls this inconsistent with the observed mostly eastward movement, although that reasoning appears unclear; it is retained here. It also notes northeasterly wind at Boulogne and explains that coastal winds can be complex and differ with altitude. GEIPAN classified the case B: probable sky lanterns. It considered the low strangeness insufficient to warrant a field investigation.