Thousands of people in Suffolk heard a huge bang as RAF fighter jets scrambled to transport a Ryanair plane to Stansted Airport following a security alert on board.

East Anglian Daily Times: Emergency services on standby at Stansted. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA WireEmergency services on standby at Stansted. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

People from as far away as the Suffolk/Norfolk border and parts of north Essex said they heard what sounded like a massive explosion reverberating across the county at around 8.38am.

Police were inundated with calls about the bang, which left one resident fearing the Sizewell B nuclear plant “had blown up”.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed a sonic boom had been created by Typhoon fighter jets from RAF Coningsby flying through the county to intercept a passenger plane.

Sonic boom: Everything we know

• RAF Typhoon jets from Coningsby intercepted a Ryanair flight which was supposed to be travelling from Kaunas in Lithuania to Luton Airport

• Stansted Airport was selected because it is a designated airport for dealing with hijacks and major security alerts

• Ryanair have since confirmed the security alert on board was a hoax

• Essex Police have said they did not find anything suspicious after carrying out an extensive investigation at the scene

East Anglian Daily Times: Passengers on buses leave the area at Stansted in Essex after a Ryanair plane, that was flying from Lithuania to Luton, was escorted into the airport by RAF jets. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA WirePassengers on buses leave the area at Stansted in Essex after a Ryanair plane, that was flying from Lithuania to Luton, was escorted into the airport by RAF jets. Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

• Armed police were tasked with assessing the plane and were supported by the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

• Thousands of people heard the sonic boom as it reverberated across Suffolk on its way towards Stansted Airport

• Seismologists managed to pinpoint the moment the boom was felt at the Elmsett seismic station at approximately 8.38am

• Flights to and from Stansted were grounded for around 10 minutes and the runway evacuated

• Passengers who were on board the flight are now being transported to Luton Airport using coaches

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