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The crash led to the cancellation of at least four scheduled flights on Sunday afternoon, according to the airport’s website. Authorities have not yet disclosed how many people were on board the aircraft or their condition
A small aircraft crashed at London Southend Airport on England’s southeast coast on Sunday afternoon, triggering a large-scale emergency response and flight cancellations, authorities confirmed.
Essex Police said it was alerted shortly before 4 pm (BST) to reports of a 12-metre general aviation plane on fire at the site in Southend-on-Sea.
“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport,” a police spokesperson said, adding that emergency operations would continue for several hours. The public has been asked to avoid the area while the work is underway.
The East of England Ambulance Service dispatched four emergency crews to the scene, including a rapid response vehicle, a hazardous area response team, and a senior paramedic.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service also responded, with crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir, and Basildon (two), along with off-road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford.
A spokesperson from the airport confirmed the incident involved a general aviation aircraft. “We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft,” the statement read. The airport added that it is working closely with local authorities and will provide more information “as soon as possible.”
The crash led to the cancellation of at least four scheduled flights on Sunday afternoon, according to the airport’s website. Authorities have not yet disclosed how many people were on board the aircraft or their condition.
Images shared by British media outlets appeared to show a fireball rising into the air above the airport, located roughly 35 miles (56 km) east of London.
Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, posted on X, “My thoughts are with everyone involved.” Matt Dent, cabinet member for business, culture, music, and tourism at Southend City Council, also wrote on X, “At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”
Airport emergency crews responded within minutes.
Despite their swift arrival, the blaze was intense, and rescuers struggled to reach those trapped inside the fiery wreckage. By the time the flames were subdued, 5 passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while 3 survivors were airlifted to a local trauma center, all in critical condition with severe burns and injuries.
Several eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments as the aircraft caught fire mid-air before crashing. Jack Thompson, a traveler who was waiting for his flight at the terminal, said, “It looked like the plane just dropped from the sky. There was fire trailing from it before it hit the ground. Within seconds, it turned into a fireball.”
Another resident living near the airport recounted, “We heard a loud boom. My windows shook. I rushed out and saw smoke rising. The emergency sirens came moments later.”
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are working together to analyze the aircraft’s black box and flight data recorders recovered from the wreckage.
Initial reports suggest that there may have been a catastrophic engine failure or mechanical fault, but officials have not ruled out other possibilities, including pilot error or a bird strike. Aviation experts note that the early moments after takeoff are among the most dangerous in any flight, with limited altitude and speed leaving little room for recovery in the event of a malfunction.
The airport temporarily suspended all flight operations following the crash, affecting over 50 scheduled flights and stranding hundreds of passengers. Airlines quickly arranged for alternate transport and accommodations, while security and forensic teams cordoned off the crash site for investigation.
Airport authorities expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and stated that safety remains their top priority. “This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” the airport’s spokesperson said during a press briefing.
News of the incident spread quickly, sparking international attention and concern over aviation safety. Airline unions, pilot associations, and aviation watchdogs around the world expressed solidarity and called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Aviation analyst David Hayes remarked, “Incidents like these remind us of the inherent risks in aviation and the importance of rigorous maintenance, training, and oversight. The fact that this happened at a major international airport is deeply concerning.”
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