Sighting in Colmar, July 2, 2014

At 22:59, a witness noticed a group of about fifteen white lights in the night sky. The lights crossed part of the sky silently in roughly one minute, and the phenomenon then faded away gradually. The witness provided a sketch showing movement from east to west.

GEIPAN considered the account to be of high quality. It is consistent with luminous balloons or Thai lanterns carried by the wind, most likely released nearby at the end of a private party. The wind recorded in Colmar at 11 p.m. was light and came from the north (from the north-east a little earlier), which is roughly compatible with the direction described. The difference in direction may be explained by the variability of the wind at low altitude, and by the fact that the witness could not tell, over such a short time, whether the lights were moving away or coming closer. The case was classified B: probable sighting of Thai lanterns or luminous balloons carried by the wind.