Mysterious light over the Mediterranean

Summary

On August 21, 2013, a hiker in Nice observed a bright and silent light above the sea. The light appeared at 9:46 AM and remained almost motionless for 20 to 25 minutes before gradually fading away. No other witnesses or clear explanations were found. The atmospheric conditions were favorable, with clear skies and strong northwest winds.

The GEIPAN considered the possibility of a high-altitude weather balloon, although no launches were recorded in the area. Confirming this hypothesis is difficult due to the complexity of modeling balloon movement at high altitudes, where winds differ significantly from those at ground level. Despite the apparent normality of the phenomenon, its silent and bright nature makes it an intriguing case.