An account in Pyr�n�es-Orientales, France

Two people in their kitchen observe for two minutes at around 2:40 a.m. on February 28, 2010, the silent passage of a bright-orange shimmering sphere with no blinking. The object, at low altitude, moves in a straight trajectory then disappears vertically. This observation case raises no doubt about the authenticity of the testimonies, although they differed at the start of the investigation. The witnesses' account strongly suggests the passage of a Thai lantern. The impression of disappearing upward is fairly common when the lantern's flame goes out. The estimated direction of the object (NNE) does not quite match the wind direction (toward NNW), but on the one hand, the wind recorded on the ground at Rivesaltes is not the same as at 200 or 300 meters altitude at Bages, and on the other hand, the direction estimate made by the witnesses is necessarily imprecise. The day and time (Saturday to Sunday night) are fairly common for lantern releases, which are fairly widespread in the region. This case is classified "B": probable observation of a Thai lantern.