Southend Airport has issued a fresh statement after a serious plane crash forced it to shut down operations.
The aircraft crash happened at around 4 pm yesterday, July 13, prompting a full emergency response. Emergency services, including fire crews, police, and medics, quickly responded to the scene. The airport cancelled all flights and will keep the site closed “until further notice.”
The aircraft involved was a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200, operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation. The company specialises in medical evacuation services and private charter flights. The plane had been travelling from Southend to Lelystad, Netherlands, and had arrived earlier from Pula, Croatia.
BREAKING NEWS: A devastating plane crash occurred at London Southend Airport, UK.
A Beechcraft Super King Air light aircraft crashed and exploded into a massive fireball shortly after takeoff, Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene of black smoke and flames, prompting a… pic.twitter.com/9KrHzfgkeg
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) July 13, 2025
In its statement, the airport said: “Due to a serious incident today at London Southend Airport, we regret to advise that the Airport is closed until further notice.”
It added: “All flights to and from the Airport have been cancelled while Police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident.”
Airlines have told passengers due to fly today or in the next few days to check with them directly. The airport said it will restart flights “as soon as possible” but did not confirm when that will be.
The statement further read: “We ask that any passengers due to travel tomorrow via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice. Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption. We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments.”
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a huge fireball and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. One resident said they saw the smoke rising from several streets away.
Four people died in the plane crash, Essex Police have confirmed. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
According to a report from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives, all four occupants, two pilots and two passengers, were killed. The twin-engine airplane rolled to the left shortly after takeoff from runway 05, then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a grassy area near the runway, bursting into flames.
Essex Police will hold a press conference at 3 pm at the airport to provide more details about the victims.
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