London/New Delhi: The stillness at Southend shattered simply after 4 pm. A non-public jet climbed into the sky after which didn’t make it far. In seconds, the airport’s edge lit up in a blinding explosion.
A ball of fireside punched by means of the clouds. Flames rolled outward. A thick plume of smoke rose behind it. Folks ducked. Some froze. Others ran.
“I heard this loud, terrifying increase and regarded up. A large fireball simply burst out. We didn’t know if it was a terrorist assault or a gasoline explosion. It was that loud,” stated James Reynolds, who had been parking close to the Westcliff Rugby Membership along with his daughter.
Believed by aviation spotters to be a Beech B200 Tremendous King Air, the plane had barely left the bottom when it plunged and exploded. The flight was scheduled to depart for Lelystad, Netherlands.
There was no official affirmation on the variety of folks on board. Authorities didn’t disclose casualties.
“We had been alerted shortly earlier than 4 pm to stories of a collision involving one 12-metre aircraft. We stay on the scene of a severe incident at Southend Airport. We’re working with all emergency companies, and this work will proceed for a number of hours,” Essex Police stated in a proper assertion.
STATEMENT FROM @EssexPoliceUK regarding the continued incident at @SouthendAirport
ESSEX POLICE STATEMENT ON SERIOUS INCIDENT AT LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT
They’ve simply posted the next:
We stay on the scene of a severe incident at Southend Airport.
1/3
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
We had been alerted shortly earlier than 4pm to stories of a collision involving one 12-metre aircraft.
We’re working with all emergency companies on the scene now and that work will probably be ongoing for a number of hours.
2/3
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
We’d please ask the general public to keep away from this space the place potential whereas this work continues.
As a precaution as a consequence of their proximity to the incident, we’re evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Membership and Westcliff Rugby Membership.
Updates will probably be issued as quickly as is feasible.
3/3
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
From contained in the terminal, passengers watched in shocked silence.
“Folks simply gasped. You would hear somebody whisper, ‘That aircraft didn’t make it.’ Then the alarms went off,” stated one eyewitness who was ready to board a home flight.
Emergency crews swarmed the crash zone.
The East of England Ambulance Service rushed in with full drive – 4 ambulances, a speedy response automobile, three senior paramedic vehicles, 4 Hazardous Space Response Crew models and a helicopter from Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.
Video clips posted on-line confirmed the fireball erupting, adopted by thick columns of black smoke that climbed into the sky. Social media flooded with uncooked footage and unconfirmed chatter.
One publish learn, “Following stories of a aircraft crash at London Southend Airport, possible this Tremendous King Air. Updates when potential.”
Native MP David Burton-Sampson confirmed the unfolding disaster, “I’m conscious of an incident at Southend Airport. Please preserve away and permit the emergency companies to do their work. My ideas are with everybody concerned.”
I’m conscious of an incident at Southend Airport. Please preserve away and permit the emergency companies to do their work.
My ideas are with everybody concerned.
We’d please ask the general public to keep away from this space the place potential whereas this work continues.
As a precaution as a consequence of their proximity to the incident, we’re evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Membership and Westcliff Rugby Membership.
Updates will probably be issued as quickly as is feasible.
3/3
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
We had been alerted shortly earlier than 4pm to stories of a collision involving one 12-metre aircraft.
We’re working with all emergency companies on the scene now and that work will probably be ongoing for a number of hours.
2/3
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
With the wreckage dangerously near public areas, the police ordered speedy evacuations. Rochford Hundred Golf Membership and Westcliff Rugby Membership – each inside shouting distance of the runway – had been emptied out.
“We had been informed to seize our issues and transfer out. Nobody argued. The smoke was too shut,” stated Rosie Hammond, who had simply completed a match.
Southend Airport’s departures board turned pink. 4 outgoing flights had been cancelled. Two incoming plane had been diverted – one to Gatwick and the opposite to Stansted.
“There was a surreal silence within the terminal. After the explosion, the whole lot simply stopped,” stated a employees employee.
Authorities have but to substantiate the reason for the crash. Aviation analysts cited the climate as clear, however investigations had been nonetheless ongoing.
The location stays cordoned off. Search and hearth models proceed operations deep into the night. The runway, now scorched and empty, sits underneath heavy patrol. Above it, the scent of smoke nonetheless lingers.
A small aircraft crashed at London Southend Airport. pic.twitter.com/NS0p3ChPRY
— Conflict Report (@clashreport) July 13, 2025