CERGY (95) 16.08.2014

Summary

A witness on a boat on the Oise River observed a black, rectangular object with rounded corners on August 16, 2014, at 21:55. The object moved silently in a straight line from west to east for 10 to 20 seconds before disappearing behind trees. It was already night time, as the sun had set at 21:03. According to Meteociel data, there was a light west wind of 6 to 18 km/h. Although the GEIPAN cannot confirm this hypothesis with certainty, it suggests the object could be a helium-filled children's balloon carried by the wind. These balloons can take many shapes, some of which might resemble rectangles from certain angles. The timing, at the end of a summer weekend, supports this explanation.

The GEIPAN classified the case as "B", indicating it is likely a festive balloon. Despite the detailed description from the witness, there is no conclusive evidence supporting a more exotic explanation. This type of sighting is common in rural areas during festive events, especially in summer. The GEIPAN analysis, while not definitive, offers a reasonable and coherent explanation based on the available data.