Local residents have reported hearing 'explosions' in the French city of Marseille

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Numerous reports on Twitter from locals have claimed that the sound of several apparent "explosions" have rocked houses in the Riviera city.

But according to French media firefighters and police are not currently attending any major incidents, raising suspicions the loud noises were actually a sonic boom.

Local newspaper La Marseillaise reported that the bang was heard at around 1.05pm French time in neighbourhoods across the city and beyond, also suggesting that it may have been made by a passing plane and not a bomb.

And newspaper La Provence tweeted: "Many of you have reported hearing the sound of an explosion in Marseille. Firefighters and the police have not reported any ongoing incidents.”

One official told the paper: “We have also heard an explosion but its origin is, for the moment, a mystery.”