Residents across Norfolk and Suffolk were left shaken and confused on Monday afternoon after a deafening bang, suspected to be a sonic boom, echoed across the two counties.
Eyewitnesses Describe Terrifying Noise
The unnerving event occurred at approximately 4.30pm on 12 January 2026. The sound was so powerful it caused buildings to vibrate, leading many to fear an explosion or a serious accident had occurred nearby.
Simon Boston, who was at a petrol station in Necton near Swaffham, Norfolk, described the moment. "It was a huge boom," he said, comparing the noise to the sound of a car crash. "I initially thought it had been a car crash on the A47."
Social Media Reacts to the Shockwave
Local social media feeds were quickly flooded with reports from startled residents sharing their experiences. One user from Norwich posted, "Extremely scary sonic boom over Norwich, made the whole house shake."
Another person commented, "I thought a truck had crashed or something for a moment there," highlighting the immediate assumption of a road accident. The event even prompted a darkly humorous remark, with one individual quipping, "Sonic boom over Norwich or rehearsal for Blitz 2?"
A more technical explanation was offered by a Facebook user, who suggested, "Following the loud bang noise we all heard, we think was possibly a F-15 passing by, they go quite fast and break the sound barrier, therefore was probably a sonic boom."
What Causes a Sonic Boom?
A sonic boom is created when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, compressing the air in front of it and creating powerful shockwaves. While the exact speed varies with altitude, it is roughly 660mph (1,060km/h) at 60,000 feet (18,300m).
Many locals directly linked the noise to military aircraft. One woman told the Eastern Daily Press, "It was all very confusing, but I could hear jets overhead, so I assume it was a sonic boom."
Despite the widespread reports and strong suspicions, the exact cause of the loud bang remains officially unconfirmed. Both the Ministry of Defence and local police forces have been contacted for an official statement regarding the incident that disrupted a quiet Monday afternoon across East Anglia.
