White light with rear veil in Gard

Summary

On May 15, 2015, a driver and his passenger observed a series of white lights with a faint rear veil in the night sky over the Gard department in France. The phenomenon lasted seven minutes as they traveled 8 kilometers along rural roads, approximately one hour after sunset. Although the witnesses initially thought it might be a flock of nocturnal birds, they quickly dismissed the idea due to the frequency and pattern of the movements, which did not seem to match typical bird flight.

The GEIPAN classified the case as "C," indicating insufficient information for a conclusive evaluation. The witnesses provided only a brief description of a white light with a faint rear veil. Although the bird hypothesis was considered, no concrete evidence supported it. The event occurred near the Camargue wetlands, known for its thousands of birds, but at a time of day when these birds should have already returned to their roosts. As a result, the case remains unresolved.