Getting rattled? Blasts from 30 miles away felt

Residents report glasses vibrating from explosions

Worried Kent residents reported hearing loud gunfire and explosions from Shoeburyness firing range in Essex more than 30 miles away on Tuesday.

They complained about window panes rattling along the coast and one from Charing, many miles inland, heard glasses vibrating in a cupboard.

Altered Future asked in a tweet: “Any reports of explosions heard today at 1pm? Very deep sound. Glasses in cupboard vibrated. In Charing.”

It later tweeted to Kent Online: “Are u getting any reports of explosions in Kent? Heard several massive ones today in Charing.”

Dr Paula Owens on the Isle of Sheppey, which is in the direct firing line across the Thames Estuary, tweeted to her local newspaper the Sheerness Times Guardian: “Shaky am (sic) Sheppey thanks to Shoeburyness blasts – rattling windows never mind fragile crumbling cliffs. Why blast anyway?”

The Shoeburyness range in Essex is operated by QinetiQ on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. It is used to test new weapons and dispose of old ammunition.

The range issued a tweet earlier today to warn of gunfire and explosions from the earlier than usual time of 8am.

Similar blasts were expected yesterday (Wednesday). Gunfire, explosions and smoke are also predicted for today (Thursday).

QinetiQ has not yet commented on the unusually loud noises.

Did you hear the explosions? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

QinetiQ demonstrates the types of explosions which can cause problems for people near the coast and further inland