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Blast that shook homes was a sonic boom, say police

The Independent

|

March 05, 2023

Police have revealed that a loud noise heard in parts of the UK was a sonic boom from a jet breaking the sound barrier. The thunderous blast was heard across Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, and by people in Banbury and Oxford with some reporting it made their homes shake.

- JOE MIDDLETON

Blast that shook homes was a sonic boom, say police

Essex Police have now confirmed that the sound was two RAF jets scrambled to escort a plane to London Stansted airport after it lost communications.

A spokesperson for the force said: "A flight has been diverted to Stansted airport after communications with the pilot had been lost. The plane, which had been flying from Iceland to Nairobi via Southend was escorted to the airport by RAF jets and landed shortly before 12.50pm [on Saturday].

"Two people - a pilot and co-pilot - were on board. Officers ...

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