Sonic boom sparks alarm as British fighter jets escorts plane to airport

LONDON — British fighter jets escorted a private aircraft into London's Stansted Airport after it lost communications with the ground on Tuesday, sparking alarm after they broke the sound barrier in response to the incident.

People from London to Cambridge, about 65 miles north of the capital, reported on social media hearing what sounded like an explosion or large blast which had shaken houses.

If you heard a massively loud bang over #Cambridge in the last few minutes, don't panic - apparently it was the sonic boom from a fighter plane breaking the sound barrier!

— Cambridge City Council (@camcitco) January 12, 2021

BREAKING: Massive explosion heard over London and Cambridge from fighter jet’s sonic boom https://t.co/KH2FPXhBmQ

— Metro (@MetroUK) January 12, 2021

"The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications," a Royal Air Force spokesman said.

"Subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted. The Typhoon aircraft were authorized to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons."

Stansted, London's third biggest airport located to the northeast of the capital, confirmed the private jet landed safely just before 1340 GMT (9:40 p.m. PHL time). — Reuters