Falaise 1985, emergency flare mistaken for a UFO

Summary

A reddish ball accompanied by an explosion appeared over Falaise in February 1985, alarming several witnesses. GEIPAN investigated and determined the phenomenon was caused by an emergency flare launched without any specific purpose. Observers saw the reddish cloud and the parachute drifting in the wind. Classified A, the case illustrates how commonplace objects can generate seemingly inexplicable reports that turn out to have a straightforward terrestrial origin.