ANNEMASSE (74) 22.01.2022

On the morning of 22 January 2022, 2 people outside in a building courtyard in Annemasse (74) noticed 2 black UAPs moving silently together in the sky and remaining close to each other. Only 1 account was collected; see the investigation report. GEIPAN first explored a group of paragliders, the witness's initial suggestion, because the viewing direction pointed toward a popular paragliding site. The local club confirmed that flights were possible at the time, although rare, but could neither confirm nor rule out any paragliders being present. The second hypothesis, 2 novelty balloons, proved more convincing because it better matched their appearance and behavior. Both components were rounded, consistent with balloons, and black is a possible balloon color. The sighting occurred on a Saturday, suggesting the possibility of balloons lost by a child. Their rotation and movement beneath one another were typical of 2 balloons tied together, probably by their holding strings, which would not be visible at that distance. At moderate altitudes below 200 m, the wind was estimated as calm to very light and variable through 360°, explaining their overall movement first from left to right and then in the opposite direction. Under GEIPAN's criteria, the case has moderate unusualness and good evidential strength: 2 witnesses, although only 1 account, plus photographs and a video. GEIPAN describes it as a probable observation of 2 novelty balloons tied together and buffeted by very light, variable wind. Its final classification is A: observation of 2 linked novelty balloons.