8 glowing spheres spoted over Paphos, Cyprus rising rapidly and separating at high altitude

Observer was looking towards the east. From behind a house some 1/4 mile away, 8 spherical objects rose one after the other (slightly smaller than a full moon), all bar one in a perfectly straight line, deep red in colour. Each had a "halo" of mist around each one. They were rising rapidly and got above cloud level, estimated at about 20-30,000 feet whereon they spread out in different directions. At this point they were no bigger than the stars but clearly visable as they separated but apparently still gaining altitude as they dissapeared out of sight.