Antonio Salinas: UFOs in Southern Spain (1998)

 

UFOs in Southern Spain: A Report by the S.I.B. Betelgeuse Group

by Antonio Salinas

 On December 15, 1998, we were made aware of the fact that the Canal Sur TV station's Andalucía Directo program had aired the news that a rather spectacular UFO sighting had just occurred in the vicinity of El Morche (a small coastal community located some 55 kilometers from Málaga and one kilometer from Torrox).

 Without any further information beyond the name of the town, a team of the Sociedad de Investigaciones Biofísicas (S.I.B.) composed of José Antonio Martín and Antonio Salinas visited the location in question. Between 10:00 hrs. and 23:30 hrs. of December 16th we devoted ourselves to gathering as much data and eyewitness information as possible.

 We began by collecting the various news items appearing in the local press. The DIARIO newspaper posted the first news item on 12/15 with the headline: "Residents of El Morche State Having Seen UFO Fly Over Coast." One of the first things we became aware of had to do with the fact that there wasn't only one UFO sighting. Since December 13 at 01:40 hrs until December 14th, there were many objects observed, and we interviewed numerous witnesses (including members of law enforcement).

 The nights of the days in question (12/13-14) were dark and moonless. It would appear that what always attracted the witnesses attention was the buzzing sound of a powerful but distant engine. Locals are used to the noise made by jet fighters since they live in a military air corridor. However, they insisted that the sound in question was not similar to said aircraft: it was lower (I suggested the droning sound made by bombers in movies and they told me that it was more or less similar).

 What the following witnesses observed was the transit--on three separate occasions--of a formation of multicolored lights (red, white and stroboscopic lights). This curious formation passed over El Morche (sighing made at 02:15 hrs. on 12/13) and according to the description made by Lurdes (surname omitted, age 25) follows: three strobe lights followed by fixed red lights on either side, the one fixed white light and a fixed red light.

 The formation of lights flew very slowly overhead. Witnesses claim that the sighting lasted over 10 minutes, and the lights moved in unison, as if forming part of a single structure. However, stars could be seen through the hypothetical structure, as if it were invisible. Altitude is open to debate. While some witnesses state that the lights were flying at low altitude, others insist their altitude was in fact quite high. On the other hand, while the lights were visible, it was impossible to see any solid body holding them together due to the darkness of the night. The formations passed over El Morche at the following times:

     01:40 hours

     02:15 hours

     03:40 hours

Their general heading was toward the NE. With the aid of one of the witnesses we were able to determine a more precise flight trajectory: vector 060. The objects appeared to have come from the sea, exactly from the SW (heading 280 degrees).

 Miguel Armijo, a filling station worker who was celebrating at a bachelor party in farm close to Frigiliana, witnessed another formation toward 02:30 hours. The final grouping of red lights appeared to be slower than the forward group, as if flying more slowly. We believe that this could be the group of lights seen toward 02:15 over EL Morche. The changes in velocity are evidence that there were changes in the formation.

 Gregorio Cabello Algan of the Torrox Guardia Civil witnessed a formation of fixed red lights at 01:45 hours. Over the initial red lights there was another set of white lights superimposed over the formation. Rafael González Mora of the Torrox police noticed a formation consisting entirely of white strobe lights followed by a "V"-shaped formation of red lights at 04:00 hours on December 14th. According to officer González, another similar formation appeared two minutes later. Speed was normal, according to the officer, and their course and altitude made him realize these were aircraft from the base at Rota. According to González, if they were coming from somewhere farther away they would have been flying higher. The formation's vector remained 060.

 At midday, while we had lunch, we noticed that the sky had the characteristic contrails produced by military aircraft. These white streaks followed a northeasterly heading (060-070 approx.), following practically the same trajectory as the other formations described.

 All of this indicated the presence of military formations crossing Spanish skies, probably heavy bombers escorted by fighter jets. Likewise, the route followed by these objects and their origin seemed to indicate that they came from Rota more than from the air facility at Morán.

 The above appears to be confirmed, in part, by statements issued by the Asociación Astronómica Malagueña, which also saw the formations while teaching a course on astronomy in the mountains of Málaga. According to this organization (we do not know if they saw the formation through their telescopes), the objects observed were merely airplanes.

 Regardless of the fact that the phenomenon had been explained with a certainty of almost 99%, a number of comments made in the community led us to tread cautiously and not get ahead of ourselves. It was better to wait a while before making any kind of statement. We spent the entire afternoon tracking down the source of a rumor that claimed that the formation of lights had stopped at low altitude over the roof of an industrial warehouse. We combed the area, asking questions about the event, but we were unable to find the presumptive witness, which lead us to give up on the "phantom account".

 Around 23:30 hours, while we conducted an improvised UFO alert in the event that the formation should pass by once again, we were alerted by a radio station that Baghdad was being bombed. This was later confirmed by numerous broadcasts.

 It is by now evident that what was seen on the evenings in question were nothing more than bombers and fighters on their way to the Persian Gulf. S.I.B. is currently seeking confirmation from the Ministry of Defense concerning this point. In spite of the first official declarations, it is now being said that no air bases on Spanish soil were employed as a launching pad or refueling stop for the attack. The statements made by civilian and official witnesses alike appear to indicate that the Rota Air Base could have been used as a take-off point.

 (INEXPLICATA #3, Spring 1999)