Sonic boom from RAF Typhoon jet heard across north Kent
Residents across north Kent spilled into the streets following a sonic boom from an RAF fighter jet.
Houses are said to have shaken across a large area around 11.30am.
Videos captured the moment the £76m aircraft, believed to be one of three, went supersonic in response to a civilian plane which was not responding to air traffic control.
A MoD spokesman said: “We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire were launched to investigate. Communications were re-established and the aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport.
The thunderous noise was heard across Kent, London and Essex. The civilian plane was travelling from Nice.
Jenny Coxall was at her home in Dartford when she heard a loud “vacuum-style” bang.
“I thought it was someone hitting our garage, but when I went outside, all our neighbours were on the street, wondering what had happened.
“Everyone thought it was some sort of demolition or a house explosion.”
She added: “My daughter was on the phone to her friend in Bexleyheath, who heard it. It was heard all over north Kent, like Greenhithe, Swanley and Bexley, according to others online.
“I was working in Medway 10 years ago in the office and I remember a similar vacuum-like bang and that's what made me think 'oh that's a sonic boom’.”
An Essex Police spokesman said: “You may have heard a sonic boom. A flight has been escorted into Stansted Airport after it lost contact with the ground.
“We were called at around 11.40am. Contact was re-established with the plane, which had been travelling from Nice, and was escorted into the airport by RAF aircraft.
“On the ground our officers determined there was nothing of concern.”