London Southend Airport will remain closed until further notice following an aircraft crash in what witnesses described as a “fireball”.
London Southend Airport in Essex declared that it has suspended all its operations after the police said a small plane crash had happened at the airport on England’s south-east coast. The incident took place on Sunday before 16:00 BST.
Southend Airport has declared that it will continue to update on its operations regarding any developments. Southend Airport advises travelers who are scheduled to travel on Monday to contact their airline.
However, there is still no confirmation on the number of fatalities.
Dutch company Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its SUZ1 aircraft has been involved in a crash at London Southend Airport. The plane flew from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, before heading to Southend on Sunday. The aircraft was due to return to Lelystad, Netherlands, on Sunday evening.
Zeusch Aviation declared that it will support the investigation procedure of the accident. The statement includes, “our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”
John Johnson, 40, from Essex, was watching planes with his wife and children. At that moment, he saw “a fireball” after the plane crash. He said that the plane headfirst into the ground. Mr. John was watching the aircraft activities as he said his sons “are really into planes”.
James Philpott, a bartender at the Rochford Hundred Golf Club, was in a hut in the middle of the course, and he felt a big heatwave. He said that when he looked up, he saw a massive fireball. He added that everyone at that moment became shocked and they did not see anything like that moment before.
People were evacuated from the space because of its close proximity to the accident. Mr. Philpott said some people remained in the clubhouse because the spot was further away.
The Chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club said that people at the club did not have to evacuate following the plane crash, though the club is near Southend Airport.
Essex Police said that they are working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
The transport secretary said that her thoughts are with all the people involved in the Southend Aircraft accident. She also added that she is receiving regular updates regarding the plane crash.
The emergency services are on the scene and are instructing the people to avoid the affected area as per as possible.
Earlier in the evening, Southend West’s Labour MP and the City Council’s cabinet members for culture, music, and tourism said that they had been made aware of the crash.
