VENCE (06) 09.10.2016

On 9 October 2016 at 00:13, 2 witnesses on a terrace noticed 2 luminous phenomena several kilometres away, one towards Corsica and the other towards Nice. One witness went upstairs to another terrace and photographed the identical stationary shapes. Both UAP disappeared abruptly. Only 1 account was collected. GEIPAN considers 2 cruise ships sailing offshore along maritime routes the most plausible explanation (see the investigation report). Several findings support it: - Comparison with a daytime photograph located the horizon, placing UAP1 on it and, by correlation, UAP2 as well. - Measurements and calculations of distances, lengths and speeds all fit ships and their positions on the offshore route. - The abrupt disappearance, which the witnesses did not notice as it happened, could result from the ships’ lights suddenly going out as they moved away from the coast after a ‘salute’ near San Remo. - The uniform nighttime colours of sea and sky explain the witness’s difficulty distinguishing the horizon. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable observation of 2 cruise ships sailing offshore on maritime routes.