Sighting in Scientrier, June 22, 2013

At about 10:30 pm, two witnesses saw a series of perfectly aligned red and orange-yellow points that seemed to pulse or blink. They lay in the direction of the Sous-Dine summit, due south. The phenomenon was at first stationary, then quickly vanished, merging into an orange mass. Only one account was collected, along with photographs. The witness thought they were looking southeast, although the mountain lies due south, and believed the objects were above it.

According to the investigation, the objects were very probably much closer, since the alignment above the summit is misleading. Assuming Thai lanterns, a rough analysis of the photos would put them 5 to 10 km from the witness, between La Roche-sur-Foron and the mountain, and 500 to 1000 m higher than the witness, who was at 450 m altitude. Weather records for nearby Geneva and Annecy showed a weak, highly unstable wind that evening, so the low-altitude wind direction toward La Roche-sur-Foron cannot be determined. The tourist office said the Fête de la musique and the finish of the Rallye des Bornes took place that day, but no release of Thai lanterns was reported, including to the gendarmerie.

Without a precise check of the wind and without confirmation from local authorities, GEIPAN cannot confirm the hypothesis of white and red Thai lanterns, which would appear yellow and red, even though it fits the photos and the testimony very well. Pending new information, the case is classified C.