Orleans 2016, Three lights in a triangle

Summary

A citizen walking with his dog in Orleans saw three orange lights arranged in a triangle, very low in the sky. They blinked every second, one disappeared, and the other two quickly ascended and vanished. The only witness looked southward, and the lights moved from left to right, that is, from northeast to southwest. This direction matches the recorded wind, suggesting the objects were carried by the air.

The description, especially the phrase "bright every second," fits the typical flicker of flames from lanterns. Also, one of the lights ascended before disappearing, common when finding upward currents. The GEIPAN concluded it was Thai lanterns, a plausible explanation given the date, time, and festive context. Internet videos show how these lights can appear to move incoherently, but align with the meteorological conditions of the case.