The sonic boom created by a Sukhoi fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as it flew overhear caused panic in parts of Cuddalore district on Tuesday.

The impact of the deafening sound at 11.48 pm caused vibrations in the region, with doors and window panes shaking violently in many houses in Panruti, Neyveli, Kadampuliyur, Kullanchavadi and Parangipettai.

Panicked residents ran out of their houses following rumours that an earthquake had hit the region. Soon rumours of a mysterious blast and a helicopter crash also started pouring in, adding to the confusion.

With the sound remaining a mystery, police stations and the Cuddalore collectorate were flooded with calls from residents of the area on whether any earthquake had hit the region.

Officials of the revenue department and the police fanned out to Neyveli and Parangipettai to ascertain the source of the sound.
Cuddalore collector Rajendra Ratnoo clarified that the sonic boom was created by a Sukhoi fighter jet of the IAF from Bangalore that was on a training exercise over the district.

The supersonic jet which can fly above speeds of 1,500 km per hour was flying at a low altitude, which in turn created the sonic boom. The sortie was planned by the IAF and there was no need to panic, he said.