Sighting in Mulhouse, December 18, 2015

In 2017, the witness reported an observation made one evening in late 2015, between about 7:45 and 8:00 pm. In the night sky near the town centre, they noticed a very bright fuchsia-pink light. It moved in a straight line, stopped, then set off again. The witness heard no particular noise and could make out no shape. They eventually lost sight of the light when it passed behind nearby rooftops.

This was the only testimony collected. It was judged consistent: the witness described the event accurately and supplied a photograph reconstructing it.

The GEIPAN investigation concluded that the light was a recreational drone fitted with a signalling light. Two points support this. First, the light's behaviour, a straight path, a sharp stop and an immediate restart at the initial speed, is typical of drones. Second, fuchsia matches none of the colours used in air navigation and points instead to customisation by the owner. The lack of noise is explained by the distance, the moderate sound level of such engines, a wind blowing the wrong way for carrying sound, and the surrounding traffic. Distance and the machine's small size also explain why only the light was visible. Flying at night over a built-up area is not permitted. GEIPAN classed the case as B: probable recreational drone.