SAINT-PRIX (03) 31.01.2016

Around 18:45 on Sunday 31 January 2016, a witness in Saint-Prix (03) saw white lights resembling halogen lamps forming a stationary bar in the sky. No sound was heard. The phenomenon disappeared rapidly behind cloud. No other accounts were collected for that day. While researching it, the witness found a report of a similar object seen at Vichy in 2012. GEIPAN found several unusual aspects: a white bar about 5° wide at a high elevation of 70°, no angular movement, and clouds passing in front of it. Celestial bodies, aircraft, balloons and lanterns appeared excluded. It tentatively raised a construction helicopter carrying a beam or illuminated bar as another possibility. The gendarmerie reported helicopter monitoring of EDF power lines in the preceding days or weeks, but never on Sundays. The witness did not give a statement to the gendarmerie as GEIPAN requested and did not respond to 2 requests to meet its investigator. This prevented better understanding and further processing of the account. GEIPAN classified the case C: no witness response and insufficient reliable information.