RAF jets alerted to escort plane after 'sonic boom'
The Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby were scrambled near Peterborough at 11.40am today.
A Bombardier Global Express flying from Nice, France, had lost contact with the ground triggering the emergency response.
The jets intercepted and then escorted the plane to London Stansted Airport.
But Londoners as well as people living in Kent and Essex reported hearing a 'sonic boom' like an 'explosion' as the jets took to the skies. More Trending
The RAF said: 'We can confirm that RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Coningsby were launched today to investigate a civilian aircraft which was not in contact with air traffic control.
'Communications were re-established and the aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted. The Typhoons are returning to base.'
One person from Dartford said: 'Heard and felt it, shook my whole building.'
Another added: 'It livened up the Zoom call I was on when I said 'what the f*** was that loud bang?!''
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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