Airbus Confirms That The Beluga Was Struck By Lightning Shortly After Take Off From Hawarden

A huge blue flash was seen and an explosion was heard in Deeside at around 1pm. The lightning was seen at the same time as an Airbus Beluga XL5 transport aircraft was overhead, many said they saw the aircraft hit. The flight continued normally to Hamburg. An Airbus UK spokesman said: “At 1pm today, the Beluga XL5 departing Hawarden Airport was struck by lightning. “This is a routine aviation event and the aircraft continued its journey to Hamburg as planned.” “In accordance with standard operating procedure, the aircraft will be inspected before its next flight.” The strike was recorded on the scoreboard by Glenn Smethurst. After the lamp strike, people reported that the electricity supply stopped, others said they had lost internet connection. A lightning tracking map shows strikes in the Mold Road area. Many took to social media to say they had never heard thunder so loud. One person commented: “Me and my kids jumped out of our skin, all I saw was a bright blue light and the biggest bang I’ve ever heard in my life.” Another resident who commented on Connah’s Quay Facebook said: “I saw a bright blue light and heard a huge bang, I’ve been in a lightning storm in Florida and I’ve never heard anything like it.” SP Energy Network said it was “aware of a fault” near Glynne Street. A lightning tracking map shows strikes in the Mold Road area. The Lightning Tracker website shows 2 strikes near the Northop road end of Mold. — WonkoTheSane (@WonkoTheSaneUK) November 1, 2022 Read Next Spotted something? Do you have a story? Send a message on Facebook | Direct Message on Twitter | Email: [email protected] Receive news alerts from across North Wales Subscribe to our low-volume, spam-free email list: Receive news alerts from across North Wales