TOULOUSE (31) 11.03.2018

At 01:00 on Sunday 11 March 2020, a driver in Toulouse was surprised by a very bright point moving rapidly across the sky. He heard no particular sound. The light went out several times in succession, then disappeared completely after 6 seconds. No other account was collected. GEIPAN rates the case as moderately unusual and well supported: there is only 1 witness, but his account is fairly precise. It considers a sky-lantern misidentification probable (see the investigation report). The description strongly supports that explanation: the UAP was bright yellow and moved with the wind, at least during the final part. The sighting occurred during the night from Saturday to Sunday, a customary time for lantern releases. Wind variations aloft could explain the change of direction, and the intermittent extinguishing near the end is typical of a lantern burner going out. Releases within a city are uncommon, but the location was near the Garonne’s banks, a possible suitable release site. The witness’s restricted view, from inside a car in an urban setting, explains the short duration. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable misidentification of a sky lantern.