A loud bang heard across parts of Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja on Wednesday afternoon has been linked to military flight activity rather than severe weather or seismic movement. The noise, which lasted only a few seconds, was strong enough to rattle windows and alarm residents in several neighbourhoods.
Authorities and observers have ruled out storms and earthquakes, which are relatively common in the area. Attention has instead turned to military aviation, particularly Eurofighter jets believed to be operating as part of an international training exercise. These aircraft often do not appear on public flight-tracking applications because their transponders can be switched off during exercises.
The activity is linked to the Tactical Leadership Programme, an international military training exercise running from mid-January to early February. Flights have increased since late January, involving combat and support aircraft from several allied countries. Military planes from Italy have also been involved, operating in support roles from the Albacete air base.
Residents in nearby towns, including Albatera, have also reported increased aircraft noise in recent weeks, especially during the afternoons, as the exercise continues across the region.
This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor before publication.