A tragic aviation incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon at London Southend Airport when a small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, prompting an immediate shutdown of the facility.

The crash, involving a Beechcraft B200 aircraft, occurred just before 4:00 PM local time. Eyewitness footage captured the aircraft engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the crash site near Southend-on-Sea, located approximately 65 kilometers east of central London.

Essex Police swiftly responded to what they described as a “serious incident,” confirming the evacuation of nearby establishments, including a golf club and rugby club, as a precautionary measure. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene and continued operations into the evening.

London Southend Airport issued a statement acknowledging the severity of the incident and confirming full cooperation with local authorities. “All flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services, and air accident investigators are attending the incident,” the airport confirmed. The facility will remain closed “until further notice.”

UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander expressed her concern in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noting she was “aware of the tragic incident” and closely monitoring the situation.

London Southend is the sixth busiest airport in the greater London area and a key regional hub. As investigations continue, further details regarding the cause of the crash and the condition of those on board are expected to emerge.

This developing story underscores the critical importance of aviation safety and the rapid response capabilities of local emergency services in handling air emergencies.