Plane Crashes Moments After Takeoff at Southend Airport

A small passenger aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from London’s Southend Airport on Sunday, sending a massive fireball into the sky and triggering an immediate emergency response. The aircraft, identified as a Beech B200, was headed to Lelystad in the Netherlands when it went down. Zoosh Aviation, the operator of the flight, has not yet commented.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with Essex County Fire and Rescue dispatching four fire crews and off-road vehicles to the scene. The East of England Ambulance Service sent four ambulances, four hazardous area response teams, and an air ambulance to manage the situation. Authorities evacuated the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club due to their close proximity to the crash site.

Labour MP David Burton-Sampson urged the public to avoid the area and allow emergency teams to do their work, expressing his concern for those affected. Police are currently investigating the cause of the crash, and details regarding passengers or casualties remain undisclosed. Southend Airport remains on high alert, and aviation safety authorities are expected to conduct a detailed inquiry.