The number of Unidentified Flying Object (UFOs) sightings – now referred to as Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) – in Belgium dropped last year to the lowest figure since 2017.
The Dutch-language Belgian UFO hotline (UFO meldpunt) received 161 sightings in 2024, a 30% drop compared to 2023 when 227 sightings were recorded.
"We cannot explain this drop," said the coordinator of the Belgian UFO hotline, Frederick Delaere. One reason could be that the public has become more familiar with SpaceX's Starlink satellites which have been deployed every few months since 2019, and also pass over Belgium. This phenomenon initially drove a spike in recordings.
Delaere explained that, for most of the report forms received, the description did not contain enough information to formulate a specific evaluation, or the witness was unwilling to answer questions from the hotline staff. "This type of conclusion was the case with 40 reports."
As in 2023, many reports were caused by dynamic light spots shining on cloud cover (also known as sky tracers). "We noted 29 reports receiving this evaluation, even though the use of light spots is prohibited by law." The sightings also often end up being aeroplanes and helicopters, or the moon or a planet.
Since 2016, the centre decided to only further investigate the most striking reports and those with interesting photo and video material. "The aim is to put more time and energy into observations with high 'rates of strangeness' from now on."
European UFO hotline
Most reports this year were made in the province of East Flanders (45), followed by Antwerp (38) and West Flanders (30). Two sightings were reported in Brussels. From July to November, the number of reports increased. "The mild and clear weather is undoubtedly one of the possible reasons for this."
Delaere also pointed to the ‘EU UAP Event' that took place on 20 March 2024 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event focused on potential security issues. "Plans are currently on the table to get European MPs to invest in UFO research and possibly set up a European UFO hotline. So it is likely that this story will be followed up in 2025 or the following years," he said.
The total number of recorded reports on UFO meldpunt's website is nearing 4,000. The centre's French-speaking counterpart COBEPS (Comité Belge pour l'Etude des Phénomènes Spatiaux) received 52 observations, which is about the same number as in 2023 (50 reports).
