What we know so far amid incident at Southend Airport after small plane crashes
Multiple fire crews, Essex Police, paramedics and the airport's onsite firefighters are on the scene after residents reported seeing a 'huge fireball' and 'explosion' at the airport.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said four crews, along with off-road vehicles, attended the incident.
Four ambulances and four hazardous area response team vehicles are at the scene, the East of England Ambulance Service said.
We have sent 4 ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, 4 Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, 3 senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane. This is a live incident and still developing. pic.twitter.com/NY6v3tJoM0
— EEAST Ambulance Service (@EastEnglandAmb) July 13, 2025
A 12-metre-long plane is reported to have crashed at Southend Airport just before 4pm today (Sunday, July 13).
Images on social media show a huge plume of smoke rising above the airport, with residents saying they have seen a 'huge fireball'.
An air ambulance has also been sent to the airport, according to the East of England Ambulance Service, alongside other emergency vehicles.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.
"We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
"We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues."
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm.
"Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.
"We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.
"Please avoid the area if possible while this work continues."
David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, has said he is aware of an incident at the airport.
I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved. 🙏🏽
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
He said: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow emergency services to do their work.
"My thoughts are with everyone involved."
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Live: Huge 'fireball' seen as 12-metre plane crashes at Southend Airport
Emergency services confirm a small plane has crashed in incident at Southend Airport
Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, has said: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. The authorities are working through it. I hope all involved are okay."
Matt Dent, a Labour councillor for the city, shared on social media: "I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport.
"My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident."
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