BIARRITZ (64) 12.08.2013

On 12 August 2013 at 00:08, a family in Biarritz (64) saw 3 very bright balls moving silently. The first 2 followed straight paths before ascending into the clear sky; the third moved above houses while changing color. All 3 disappeared simultaneously. GEIPAN identifies sky lanterns from their slow movement and orange or changing colors. Weather records show light variable wind, mainly southwesterly at the time, matching the overall eastward motion. Irregular travel is unsurprising in light winds in a seaside urban area, with interacting urban, thermal and marine air currents. A video temporarily posted on YouTube fully matched this explanation. The tourist setting, summer season and hour favor a celebratory lantern release. The reporting witness was not convinced. GEIPAN classifies the case A: sky lanterns.