Police: ‘UFO’ was a balloon

 POLICE in Vanimo, West Sepik, have confirmed that an “unidentified flying object” seen at a remote village near the Indonesian border last month was a balloon.

Provincial Police Commander Supt Robert Gesa said a team of government officers, including a police officer visited the village after the villagers reported the mysterious object.

“It was reported as a helicopter or a one-seater flying glider. It is a one-metre long helicopter-like balloon which was carried by the wind from Batas or an outstation on the Indonesian side of the border.

“There was also no one inside (the balloon) as claimed by the villagers,” he said.

The villagers had tied the balloon to a tree to await the arrival of the government officers.

He was disappointed with the villagers for not correctly identifying the object causing the team of government officers to travel all the way there to see for themselves.

Gesa said because of the remoteness of the village and communication difficulties, they were not able to get a detailed report of the object.