A small aircraft crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday, prompting a significant emergency response. Authorities from Essex Police and the airport confirmed the incident, labeling it a “serious” situation.
The crash involved a 12-meter-long aircraft, which caught fire shortly after the incident. Video footage circulating online shows the plane engulfed in flames with thick black smoke rising from the wreckage at Southend-on-Sea, located around 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of London.
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Police received reports of the crash just before 4:00 pm local time (1500 GMT). “We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours,” Essex Police stated.
London Southend Airport also released a statement confirming the seriousness of the event and assured the public that it is cooperating fully with local emergency services. “We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible,” the airport noted.
Although specific details about casualties or the number of people on board have not yet been released, early reports suggest the plane involved was a Beechcraft B200, which crashed shortly after takeoff,
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigations are likely to continue for several hours or even days. Emergency services, including fire crews and medical personnel, remain on-site.
Southend Airport, a regional hub and the sixth-largest airport serving the London area, is known for handling short-haul flights and private aviation.
Further updates are expected as officials complete their on-site operations and gather more information regarding the cause and impact of the crash.
