Arica UFO Sightings Trigger Chilean Government Response
At the end of March and the beginning of April 1997, residents and officials in Arica in northern Chile reported anomalous lights over the city, the airport and the sea on several days. The civil aviation authority DGAC responded publicly, and the sightings contributed to the creation of CEFAA, Chile's committee for the study of anomalous aerial phenomena, in 1997.
Background
In the last days of March and beginning of April 1997, various anomalous aerial phenomena were observed over the city of Arica in the far north of Chile. For two consecutive days, lights were seen west of the city and the airport, alarming the population, with the DGAC issuing a public statement acknowledging the observations—the first time the Chilean government had publicly recognized unidentified objects in national airspace, directly leading to the creation of CEFAA in October 1997.
The Incident
Anomalous aerial phenomena were sighted over Arica in the far north of Chile.
Lights were observed west of the city and the airport.
The lights apparently moved in a coordinated manner over the sea.
Witness Statements
- Civilians
- Officials
- Official aeronautical experts at Aeropuerto Chacalluta
Investigation
The DGAC issued a public statement.
This was the first time the Chilean government acknowledged unidentified objects in national airspace.
Significance
The events led directly to the creation of CEFAA in October 1997.