AN AIRBUS Beluga plane was struck by lightning in an incident that sounded "like a bomb had gone off". 

The incident occurred at about 1pm on Tuesday (November 1), shortly after the Beluga XL5 had taken off from Hawarden Airport en route to Hamburg, Germany. 

Thankfully, the aircraft continued on with its journey and safely landed in Hamburg. Airbus said it is a "routine event" for aircraft to be struck by lightning, but that the plane will be inspected before its next flight. 

Following the incident, Scottish Power said properties across Connah's Quay were left without power until about 4pm. Phone lines were also affected.

People took to social media to discuss the incident.

READ MORE: As it happened - Reports of 'loud bang' in Deeside as Beluga plane is struck by lightning

One person said: "Me and my kids jumped out of our skin, all I saw was a bright blue light, and the biggest boom I’ve ever heard in my life, felt like it was right above us. It was so weird."

Another added: "It was very scary, I genuinely thought a bomb had gone off."

A further comment said: "I saw bright blue light, and heard the massive boom, I’ve been in a thunder storm in Florida and never heard anything like that bang before."

Other people said that it caused their house to shake, and that it also set off house and car alarms. One person added that the flash of light hurt their eyes. 

Connah's Quay councillor, Bernie Attridge, said fire engines were in attendance with Scottish Power on Breeze Hill in the town.

He said: "It sounded like a bomb to me, the house shook and then there was a very bright light which temporary took out my electric and phone line is down."

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An Airbus spokesperson said: "At 1pm today (November 1), Beluga XL5 departing Hawarden Airport was struck by lightning. 

"This is a routine event in aviation and the aircraft continued with its journey to Hamburg as planned.

"In accordance with standard operating procedure, the aircraft will be inspected before its next flight."

Modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes. 

Proffesor John Hansman, professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and director of the International Center for Air Transportation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said an airplane can essentially act as a lightning rod.

The bolt will initially strike one point, like the nose, and travel through the aircraft to an exit point, like the wing tip.

After that, the bolt will continue where it could hit the earth's surface.

Electrical systems on the airplane are built to withstand a lightning strike, but one of higher intensity can damage systems that rely on electricity like fuel valves, generators, power feeders and electrical distribution systems, according to Boeing.

When an airplane is hit, the pilot will determine whether it's safe for the flight to continue.

If not, the plane will divert to inspect the aircraft for damage and make repairs if necessary.

If the pilot determines that the aircraft is safe, it will continue to its final destination, where a full inspection will take place to ensure the plane is safe or if repairs are needed.