Small plane crash halts all flights at London Southend

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff at London Southend Airport on Sunday, July 13, prompting the airport to suspend all operations until further notice. A large plume of black smoke rose above the site, as seen in eyewitness footage and images shared online. Police said they were alerted to the crash just before 4 p.m., describing it as a “serious incident” involving a 12‑metre aircraft. Emergency services, including four ambulances and air accident investigators, responded to the scene in Essex, about 35 miles east of London. The airport confirmed the suspension of all flights, with five international departures cancelled. The number of people on board the aircraft and whether there were any injuries or fatalities has not yet been confirmed. Local media reported that the passenger plane had arrived from Croatia earlier in the day and was departing for Lelystad, Netherlands, when the crash occurred. An investigation into the cause is underway.