Essex: Sonic Boom Caused By RAF Jets

17 June 2013, 05:21 | Updated: 17 June 2013, 05:23

Sonic booms heard over parts of Essex yesterday (Sunday 16 June) were caused by RAF jets, it has been confirmed.

An Essex police spokesman said there were several reports of sonic booms around the county "caused by military aircraft engaged in routine operations''.

A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shockwaves created when an object travels through the air and breaks the sound barrier.

The noise contains large amounts of sound energy, meaning sonic booms are often mistaken for explosions.

The Ministry of Defence said it was caused when the jets were responding to another aircraft which lost communication.

A spokesman said the jets soon established "everything was fine'' with the aircraft.

Police said there were no reports of damage to homes or property.