**Four Killed in Fiery Plane Crash at London Southend Airport**
London Southend Airport was at the centre of a devastating tragedy on Sunday afternoon after a private aircraft crashed in flames shortly after take-off, leaving all four people on board dead. The incident, which occurred just before 4pm, has sent shockwaves through the local community and has led to the complete closure of the airport as investigators work to establish the cause of the crash.
Essex Police confirmed the fatal incident involved a 12-metre Beech B200 Super King Air, a small twin-propeller aircraft often described in aviation circles as the “Land Rover of the skies” due to its versatility and durability. Reports indicate the plane, which had arrived at Southend earlier in the day following stops in Athens and Pula, Croatia, was bound for the Netherlands on its final leg.
According to Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex Police, the tragedy unfolded moments after the aircraft had lifted off the runway. “Shortly after take-off, the aircraft encountered difficulties, veered left, and crashed within the boundaries of the airport,” he explained during an official press briefing. “Regrettably, all four souls aboard perished. At this stage, we believe the victims are foreign nationals and we are working tirelessly to confirm their identities. Our deepest sympathies are with their families and colleagues at this unimaginable time.”
The crash site was swiftly attended by emergency services, including police, fire crews and airport personnel. Witnesses at the scene described a harrowing “fireball” as the plane impacted the ground, with social media images soon circulating showing thick black smoke billowing above the airport’s perimeter. The emotional impact on those who witnessed the event is likely to be profound, and police have praised the public’s response in providing footage and information to assist with their enquiries.
Zeusch Aviation, the Netherlands-based operator of the ill-fated flight, has since acknowledged the accident, confirming that its SUZ1 flight was involved in the incident. The firm, whose fleet often carries out medical transportation, organ transfer, and mapping missions, has pledged to cooperate fully with official investigations.
All scheduled flights into and out of London Southend have been suspended since the incident, with a total of 22 scheduled departures and arrivals, largely EasyJet and Eastern Airways services, redirected to other London airports. According to airport authorities, these changes will remain in place “until further notice,” as the airport collaborates with law enforcement, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
A significant air exclusion zone has been established around the wreckage, as experts from the AAIB and partners from the Royal Air Force and Essex Fire and Rescue Service work to recover evidence and build an accurate chronology of events. “Our detectives and forensic teams are working closely with the AAIB to determine exactly what happened,” explained Chief Superintendent Cronin. “We are committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding this devastating accident.”
Aviation investigators now face the complex task of establishing what caused the craft, which had appeared serviceable earlier that day after a multi-leg journey across Europe, to get into difficulties so rapidly after take-off. Maintenance records, pilot experience, and possible technical malfunction will all likely form part of the investigation.
As the airport remains cordoned off and with disruption expected to persist, there is widespread concern for the families and for the wider community disrupted by the tragedy. Police have reassured the public that they will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses and have thanked witnesses for their cooperation.
In the meantime, tributes have begun to appear online and at the airport, as the community comes to terms with the loss and awaits further details from the official investigation.