ANDERNOS-LES-BAINS (33) 23.06.2018

On 23 June 2018 around 23:15–23:30, T1 was photographing the Moon and Jupiter through his telescope on a terrace in Andernos-les-Bains (33). His wife T2 called him after seeing 2 red UAPs move east to west on the other side of the house, but he arrived too late. Two or 3 minutes later she called again. This time he saw 3 identical, intensely bright red UAPs, matching the earlier ones, coming from the east towards the south or south-west. They moved relatively slowly at low apparent altitude without flashing or sound and disappeared behind trees and houses after about 15 seconds. Only 1 of the 2 witnesses submitted an account, with no UAP photograph or video, giving moderate evidential strength. GEIPAN’s criterion concerns the quantity of reliable, objectively supported information collected for an account. The investigation considers several sky lanterns very likely (see the investigation report). Red is possible although orange is more common; their number, slow horizontal motion and wind direction fit. A June Saturday and light winds suit releases for weddings, birthdays or other celebrations. Festivities were held locally that evening, but no lantern release was traced and a private release remains possible. GEIPAN classifies the case B: probable windborne sky lanterns.