**Four Dead Following Plane Crash and Fire at London Southend Airport**
A tragic aviation accident unfolded at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of four individuals after a plane crashed and burst into flames. The incident, which occurred just before 4pm, prompted an immediate response from emergency services and led to the temporary closure of the airport.
Essex Police confirmed the crash involved a single 12-metre aircraft. Upon being alerted, police and fire crews arrived promptly at the site, where they encountered a scene of significant devastation. Eyewitnesses described witnessing a “fireball” erupting from the crashed plane, with dark smoke billowing into the sky, visible from several miles away.
Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch company based at Lelystad Airport, later identified the plane as SUZ1, confirming it had been “involved in an accident” while landing at Southend. The firm expressed its condolences, stating, “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected,” and assured the public it was cooperating fully with ongoing investigations. Zeusch Aviation operates this type of aircraft for medical transportation, including the movement of patients and organs, as well as aerial surveys.
Details regarding the aircraft’s journey revealed it had earlier departed from Athens, stopped in Pula, Croatia, then continued to Southend. It had been due to return to the Netherlands on Sunday evening. It remains unclear at this stage why the crash happened, and authorities have yet to release the identities of those onboard.
The accident triggered the closure of London Southend Airport, with all remaining arrivals and departures suspended until further notice. Passengers with travel plans were advised to check with their respective airlines amid widespread cancellations. Monday’s schedule had included 20 flights with easyJet and two with Eastern Airways, all of which were either redirected to alternative airports or cancelled.
Those present at the airport during the accident described a harrowing sequence of events. John Johnson, a passenger from Billericay, recounted to the press how the aircraft, after waving to those nearby, powered down the runway before banking sharply immediately after take-off. Seconds later, it plummeted inverted into the ground, resulting in an explosive fire. “There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock,” he recalled, expressing his sympathies for the victims and their families.
Nearby recreational areas, including Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, were temporarily evacuated as a precaution due to the proximity of the crash. A bartender from the golf club, James Philpott, described feeling an intense wave of heat before seeing a fireball erupt in the sky, echoing the shock and confusion experienced by those at the scene.
In response to the disaster, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) initiated a formal inquiry, dispatching a multi-disciplinary team of experts specialising in operations, human factors, aircraft engineering, and data analysis to examine the circumstances of the crash. The cause remains under investigation.
National figures responded to the tragedy, with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander labelling the incident as “tragic” and pledging to monitor developments closely. Local representatives also urged the public to avoid the area and give emergency services space to conduct their work.
Emergency crews from several nearby stations attended, including services from Southend, Rayleigh Weir, Basildon, Billericay, and Chelmsford. Paramedics, rapid response vehicles, and air ambulances were swiftly mobilised. As the clean-up and investigation efforts continue, the Southend Airport spokesperson reiterated their sympathies: “Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption.”
Essex Police have established an online portal for members of the public to provide information relating to the crash as efforts to determine the full facts remain ongoing. Ongoing updates regarding the reopening of the airport and the progress of the investigation are expected in the coming days.