Yellow Balls in Xirocourt in December 2013

Summary

A witness in Xirocourt (France) observed three yellow glowing balls moving rapidly in a west-northeast direction on December 27, 2013. The objects disappeared within seconds at the horizon. The GEIPAN classified the case as "B," considering it could be Thai lanterns, due to the coincidence with a private celebration in the area. Although the witness described a "triangular halo," which didn't fit traditional lanterns, the drawing he made showed a clear similarity to a lantern photo. Additionally, the change in trajectory could be explained by a local gust or a misjudgment of distance. The apparent speed, around 20 km/h at a height of 100 meters, also fit this hypothesis, despite the witness rejecting it.

The case was carefully analyzed, taking into account the weather and date. The south wind at 20 km/h could have influenced the movement of the objects, although the witness noted a linear displacement not affected by the wind. Despite the witness's doubts, the GEIPAN concluded the observation was compatible with the flight of three Thai lanterns. The coincidence of the time, the festive day, and the visual description convinced investigators to classify the case as likely non-UFO. However, the description of the "triangular halo" remains a point of interest for future research.