Loud bangs were heard on Thursday evening in several counties in the southern part of the country, as well as in some areas of Transylvania, causing panic among the locals. Many people said that the windows and walls of their homes vibrated, and some initially thought it was due to explosions or a major incident.
The explanation is related to fighter jets breaking the sound barrier during training flights, a phenomenon known as a sonic boom, according to information reported in the press.
According to TVR Info, the phenomenon occurred around 10:00 p.m. and was felt in several localities, including Curtea de Argeș, Râmnicu Vâlcea, and neighboring areas.
Panic in Argeș and Vâlcea: "The windows shook"
Many locals said the noises were so loud that the windows and walls of their homes vibrated.
Some people told ProTV that "the beds shook throughout the city," and in certain homes, windows cracked due to the shockwave.
The noises were perceived as two successive bangs, similar to very powerful explosions or thunder. For this reason, numerous people came out of their homes to see what was happening, and emergency services received several calls from alarmed individuals.
According to reports cited by Digi24, some residents initially thought it could be a major accident or a military incident.
The bang was heard as far as Transylvania
The sonic wave was felt over a large area. The loud noise was heard in several areas in the southern part of the country, as well as in some localities in Transylvania. Several people recounted that the bang was so powerful that it seemed like an explosion, and in some homes, objects moved or windows vibrated.
Some individuals mentioned that the shockwave also caused damage. According to reports cited by ProTV, several locals complained that their house windows shattered or cracked after the bang. This phenomenon is possible when aircraft exceed the speed of sound and produce a sonic boom, a pressure wave that travels long distances and can cause strong ground vibrations.
The Explanation: Eurofighter jets broke the sound barrier
The explanation for the loud noises is linked to military aviation activity. Two Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets reportedly flew over the Curtea de Argeș area around 10:01 p.m. at an altitude of over 10,000 meters, breaking the sound barrier.
When an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound – approximately 1,225 km/h – a phenomenon known as a "sonic boom" occurs. This generates shockwaves that propagate in the atmosphere and can be felt within a radius of tens of kilometers as powerful bangs.
The phenomenon is usually perceived on the ground as an explosion or a very loud thunderclap.
Air exercises with Romanian and allied aircraft
The flights are part of the aerial exercises conducted in Romania during this period.
The Romanian Air Force announced that between March 9 and 16, 2026, Romanian and allied aircraft are conducting training flights at low altitudes and in supersonic mode to enhance the response capability of aviation personnel.
These exercises involve aircraft from the Romanian Air Force, as well as planes from allied countries, including Germany, Spain, and the United States.
Military aviation representatives stated that the flights are conducted "with all necessary air safety measures and the reduction of the sonic impact on the population."