Sonic Boom Heard as RAF Jets Scrambled Near London

A sonic boom was heard over several parts of London on January 12, as RAF jets were scrambled to intercept a civilian plane that lost contact with air traffic control.

The boom can be heard in this footage from Sam Harrison, who said it was filmed in the east London suburb of Hornchurch.

The RAF said Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched from its base in Coningsby. Communications with the aircraft were reestablished, the RAF said, and it was “safely escorted to Stansted”.

The Typhoons were “authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons”, the RAF told Storyful.

Sky News said the plane was traveling from Germany. Credit: Sam Harrison via Storyful