Loud explosion-like sound heard in Bengaluru

Residents in some parts of the city, especially those living in south and west Bengaluru, were startled by a loud “explosion-like” sound around 12.30 p.m. on Friday. Some rushed out of their homes in panic, and many took to social media to report the unexplained sound that caused their windowpanes and doors to rattle.

The Bengaluru city police suspect that it was a sonic boom produced during a fighter plane sortie in the city, which is home to multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) bases and the aeronautical industry. This is not the first time such an incident has been reported.

In May 2020, a similar sonic boom was heard in parts of the city . The IAF later clarified that it had been caused by a test flight sortie.

A sonic boom is a shock wave created when an object travels faster than the velocity of sound in air, and a person as far as 65-80 km away from the epicentre can hear and experience the sonic boom, sources said.

However, this time around, the IAF denied any sorties being conducted at the time on Friday. “The IAF denies any flying activity or any known action from their side to have caused any loud sound reportedly heard in Bengaluru. None of the IAF bases or units, including ASTE, was flying at that time,” said PRO, Defence, Bengaluru, in a statement.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) said it could not comment on the loud sound. “Regular sorties of fighters and trainers take place from HAL airport. Today was no different. HAL can’t comment on the loud noise reportedly heard today in Bengaluru,” said HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar.

Loud explosion-like sound heard in Bengaluru

IAF denies conducting test flight sorties; HAL says it cannot comment on it