Londoners baffled by mysterious flashing lights in the middle of the night

Beams of light shooting across the sky baffled Londoners on Sunday night.

With line after line flying by in columns and clusters, they were left wondering if it the ‘strange lights’ were an alien invasion or something less sinister.

‘I was secretly hoping it would be a 1930s style movie premiere at 1am’, said comedian and former host of BBC’s Mock The Week, Dara Ó Briain.

Sharing a video of the phenomenon on social media, Ó Briain pleaded with his followers: ‘Does anyone what event was creating this light show at 1.23 am(!) last night?

‘For directions, the lights were heading in a line toward the centre of town from chiswick/Hammersmith. Or was it a Close Encounter?’

Another X user, Jordi Steel, said: ‘Strange lights (possibly aliens) appearing in London sky. Specifically, over a football stadium.’

Gary Cornwell said: ‘What’s going on in London tonight? Crazy ass light show can be seen from Acton.’

So what were the mysterious lights on Sunday night?

Well, you might find the answer in the more than 1,000 replies to Dara Ó Briain’s video on X, where it was viewed 2.5million times.

Many people suggested it might be a practice run for London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The reply Mr Ó Briain deemed ‘the most sensible suggestion by far’ said: ‘I don’t really know London. But could it be some kind of rehearsal for the midnight fireworks. The lights section anyway?’

In another reply, one person shared a video of white and red lights flashing on the London Eye, and said: ‘It’s rehearsals for New Year’s Eve.’

Mr Ó Briain replied: ‘Cool! I might leave the question up for a while though, just enjoying the many people who believe I have doctored the footage in some way.’

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