London Southend Airport Closed Following Tragic Plane Crash

Southend-on-Sea, UK — London Southend Airport remains closed until further notice after a deadly plane crash on Sunday claimed the lives of all four people on board, according to Chief Executive Jude Winstanley.

The tragic incident occurred just before 16:00 BST. Essex Police were alerted to a fire involving a 12-metre aircraft in the northern part of Southend-on-Sea. The Dutch charter airline Zeusch Aviation later confirmed that its SUZ1 flight was “involved in an accident.”

“We can confirm that Zeusch Aviation flight SUZ1 was involved in an accident today at London Southend Airport,” the company said in a statement. “We are actively supporting the authorities with the investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”

Flight Route and Eyewitness Account

The plane had reportedly departed from Athens, Greece, made a stop in Pula, Croatia, and was en route to Lelystad, Netherlands after landing at Southend. Tragically, it never made it to its final destination.

Eyewitness John Johnson, a resident of Billericay, Essex, described the horrifying moment he saw the aircraft crash:

“You could see the pilots smiling, and we all kind of smiled back,” he told the BBC. “The aircraft turned 180 degrees to face its take-off point, powered up its engines, and passed us on the runway.”

“It took off in three or four seconds, then started to bank heavily to the left. I told my wife, ‘That’s unusual.’ Within seconds, the aircraft almost inverted and slammed into the ground. There was a huge fireball.”

Emergency Response

Fire crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir, Basildon, and off-road response units from Billericay and Chelmsford were dispatched immediately.

According to a spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service, the emergency response included:

• 4 ambulances

• A rapid response vehicle

• 4 Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) units

• 3 senior paramedic vehicles

• The Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

Despite their rapid response, none of the four individuals on board survived. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin confirmed that the victims are believed to be foreign nationals, but their identities have not yet been released.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are now conducting a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Aviation safety teams, forensic experts, and local officials are working together to analyze flight data, engine systems, and any possible mechanical or human error factors.

As of now, London Southend Airport remains closed, and all operations have been suspended until further notice.

The local community and aviation industry mourn the loss of life in this tragic event.