Essex: A small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Southend Airport on Sunday, sending up a “huge fireball” and prompting a major emergency response, witnesses and local authorities said. The crash occurred at around 4 p.m. local time. The aircraft was reportedly en route to the Netherlands. It is currently unclear how many people were on board or what caused the crash.
Multiple emergency crews responded to the scene, including Essex Police, who described it as a “serious incident,” and East of England Ambulance Service, which dispatched four ambulances, a rapid response unit, and air ambulance support. As a safety measure, nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club were evacuated due to their proximity to the site.
Images and videos shared on social media showed thick black smoke and flames visible from several hundred feet away. Eyewitnesses said they saw a “fireball” rise moments after the aircraft lifted off from the runway. One local resident, Dani Hill, said: “I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are OK, if any.”
⚡️BREAKING:
Massive Explosion at UK Airport: Locals Report ‘Huge Fireball’ in the Sky
A plane reportedly crashed just moments after takeoff from London Southend Airport, triggering a powerful blast.
Authorities have not yet released any information regarding casualties. pic.twitter.com/pFXoWzd7mK
— Warfare Report (@warfarereport) July 13, 2025
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Officials urge public to avoid the area
Essex Police confirmed: “We were alerted shortly before 4 p.m. 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.”
The plane involved is believed to be a Beech B200 Super King Air, a small turboprop aircraft, and was scheduled to fly to Lelystad in the Netherlands, according to early flight tracking data and local media reports.
A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that four fire crews and off-road vehicles had been deployed. The East of England Ambulance Service added in a statement that the situation was “still developing.”
HUGE blast at UK airport, locals see ‘huge FIREBALL’ erupt into sky
Plane reportedly crashes ‘moments after takeoff’ at London Southend pic.twitter.com/CFjrvaiFTv
— RT (@RT_com) July 13, 2025
MP, councillors respond to incident
David Burton-Sampson, Member of Parliament for Southend West and Leigh, posted 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.”
Local councillor Matt Dent added: “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.”
According to the airport’s website, four outbound flights were cancelled following the crash.
No further details have been confirmed by Southend Airport or Essex County Fire and Rescue as of publishing. Investigations are expected to continue throughout the evening.
