Silent red light over Grasse

Summary

On 17 January 2009, a witness in Grasse (Alpes-Maritimes) watched a bright red light surrounded by a halo glide slowly and silently over the city before climbing rapidly and vanishing. The testimony was notably detailed, which aided the analysis. Investigators concluded it was very likely a Thai sky lantern: the reddish colour, the halo, the wind-driven movement, and the proximity to Chinese New Year all point to that explanation. The case was classified B.