A small aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, reportedly resulting in a fireball. Emergency services, including Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service, are currently on the scene responding to the incident.
The aircraft involved is believed to be a Beech B200 passenger plane, which was departing the airport en route to Lelystad in the Netherlands, The Independent reported. Purported visuals on social media showed a fireball erupting from the crash and smoke bellowing from the site.
🇬🇧🛩 NEW: A light aircraft (Beechcraft Super King Air) has crashed shortly upon taking off from London Southend Airport.
Follow: @osiosint1 #London #planecrash #SouthendAirport pic.twitter.com/ypUXioAcCk
— OsintWorld 🍁 (@OsiOsint1) July 13, 2025
An account on X (formerly Twitter), ESN Report, a team comprising former 999 and armed forces personnel, described witnessing the tragic event. They wrote, “Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway. Thoughts are with those on the aircraft.” The post added, “Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.”
Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway. Thoughts are with those on the aircraft and @EssexPoliceUK @ECFRS @EastEnglandAmb who are responding. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments…
— ESN Report (@ES_News_) July 13, 2025
David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West, has also responded to the incident. He urged the public to cooperate with emergency efforts, stating on X, “I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”
Essex Police Ask People To Avoid London Southend Airport Area
The Essex Police stated, “We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.”
“We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues. As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, we are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club. Updates will be issued as soon as is possible,” the police statement added.
We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.
We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
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— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
London Southend Airport is situated approximately 36 miles east of central London and is utilised by several airlines, including EasyJet.
