Thousands hear sonic boom as jet scrambled in east London and Essex

The plane was reportedly escorting another aircraft to Stansted Airport 

A loud bang has been heard by thousands of people across East London, Essex and Cambridge.

The noise was a sonic boom caused by a fighter plane breaking the sound barrier overhead.

Local residents on social media said the blast caused their houses to shake at around 1.05pm today.

Video of the Typhoon ZK357 flying over Stansted Airport after a QRA scramble to escort a aircraft into the airport pic.twitter.com/4AEFfVrzyY

— Intel Air & Sea (@air_intel) January 12, 2021

The RAF has confirmed the Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons were launched from RAF Coningsby to intercept a private aircraft.

The fighter planes had been authorised to fly at supersonic speed, after the aircraft had stopped responding to air traffic control.

The private plane was escorted to Stansted Airport, where it landed safely.

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