A small aircraft crashed at a UK airport on Sunday, causing a massive fireball and thick black smoke.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. at Southend Airport. Emergency services rushed to the scene as the plane caught fire on impact.
Witnesses said the aircraft banked sharply, inverted, and hit the ground nose-first. The result was a huge explosion.
The plane belonged to Dutch company Zeusch Aviation. It had flown from Athens to Croatia, then to the UK airport. It was scheduled to return to the Netherlands later that day.
Authorities have not confirmed the number of people on board or any casualties.
The airport remains closed until further notice. All flights have been cancelled or redirected. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updates.
Nearby buildings, including a golf club, were partially evacuated as a safety measure. Other local areas remained open but under watch.
Essex Police and the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch are now investigating the crash. They are asking the public to use a dedicated online portal for updates and questions.
Officials praised the fast response of the airport’s emergency crews. Firefighters and paramedics acted quickly to control the scene.
This incident has raised concerns about safety procedures at small regional airports. However, no fault has been confirmed.
The airport will reopen only after a full safety check and investigation are completed.
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