Southend Airport plane crash live: Huge fireball seen as aircraft crashes moments after takeoff

The plane crash took place at London Southend Airport (Getty Images)

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A small plane has crashed after take-off at London Southend Airport, sending a fireball into the sky.

Essex Police and East of England Ambulance Service are responding to the incident at the airport this afternoon.

The passenger plane is reportedly a Beech B200 that was leaving the airport for Lelystad in the Netherlands.

In a statement, Essex Police said: “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.”

Labour MP for Southend West, David Burton-Sampson, has responded to the incident.

Writing on X, he said: “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.”

London Southend Airport is located around 36 miles from the centre of London. Among the airlines to use it are EasyJet.

Where is London Southend Airport

Alex Ross13 July 2025 17:25

Essex police at Southend airport in Essex after plane crash

Essex Police said in a statement: “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.”

Rebecca Whittaker13 July 2025 17:23