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Sonic boom heard across Derbyshire caused by RAF Typhoons Sonic boom heard across Derbyshire caused by RAF Typhoons
(about 1 hour later)
A sonic boom was heard across Derbyshire as military aircraft were launched to intercept a passenger plane following a reported bomb threat.A sonic boom was heard across Derbyshire as military aircraft were launched to intercept a passenger plane following a reported bomb threat.
Police and the fire service received "a large number" of 999 calls from people who feared there had been an explosion. Some residents said their homes shook. Police and the fire service received "a large number" of 999 calls from people who feared there had been an explosion or earthquake.
Emergency services initially could not explain the cause of the loud bang heard shortly before 10:00 BST. Some people reported their homes being shook by the sonic boom, which was heard shortly before 10:00 BST.
The RAF confirmed Typhoon aircraft had been launched.The RAF confirmed Typhoon aircraft had been launched.
"The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this morning from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft," a statement said."The RAF can confirm Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this morning from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft," a statement said.
"The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted airport. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted." "The aircraft was safely escorted to Stansted Airport. The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons; any inconvenience caused to local residents is regretted."
Bob Billington, who lives in Derby, said he heard two bangs in quick succession and guessed it was a sonic boom.Bob Billington, who lives in Derby, said he heard two bangs in quick succession and guessed it was a sonic boom.
"The first bang was rather loud, like the thunder from a very close lightning strike, then rather less than a second later there was a second, not quite as loud, and then the echoes from the surrounding buildings making it sound like a fairly short roll of thunder," he said."The first bang was rather loud, like the thunder from a very close lightning strike, then rather less than a second later there was a second, not quite as loud, and then the echoes from the surrounding buildings making it sound like a fairly short roll of thunder," he said.
Mr Billington recognised the sound from hearing it at air shows "in the good old days".
"They aren't allowed to do that any more," he said.
"I assume there aren't very many of the people reporting it have actually heard one before, so I can understand their reactions.""I assume there aren't very many of the people reporting it have actually heard one before, so I can understand their reactions."
Derbyshire Police said they had received "a large number" of 999 calls about the noise. Stuart Dean, who works at a car dealership near Pride Park, said it "felt like the whole world shook".
The RAF said they could not say how many Typhoons were launched "for operational reasons". "It felt like the whole thing came from behind us so we all rushed out to see what it was," he said.
They were escorting an Air India passenger plane which made a "precautionary landing" after the airline initially reported a bomb threat. "We're in a really big unit and the whole thing shook."
A statement from Stansted Airport said the plane landed at about 10:15 BST and was now in an isolated part of the airport - and the main terminal is unaffected. The RAF said it could not say how many Typhoons were launched "for operational reasons".
They were escorting an Air India passenger plane that made a "precautionary landing" after the airline initially reported a bomb threat.
A statement from Stansted Airport said the plane landed at about 10:15 BST and was in an isolated part of the airport.
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