Sighting in Chécy, August 23, 2016

One evening, between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m., a witness was on the terrace of their home with their child when both noticed a glowing orange sphere moving silently across the sky. The witness could make out flames on the object and on its surface, and the child described it as a "ball of fire." It travelled from east to west without ever changing course, until the witness lost sight of it. No noise and no trail were noticed. The observation lasted about 30 seconds. Only one witness account was collected.

Following the investigation, the GEIPAN concluded that everything fitted a release of lanterns: the object's path matched the wind direction, its appearance, colour and brightness were consistent, and it was a summer night well suited to a festive event. The case was therefore classified A, a very probable Thai lantern.