London Southend Airport in Essex has suspended all operations indefinitely following a small aircraft crash on its runway Sunday afternoon, prompting a major emergency response and the cancellation of all flights.
According to Essex Police, officers were called to the airport shortly before 4:00 p.m. after reports of a crash involving a 12-metre (approximately 39-foot) aircraft. The number of passengers on board remains unknown, and no official confirmation of casualties has been released.
“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport,” police said in a statement, adding that emergency crews and air accident investigators are actively working at the site.
Unverified video footage circulated by British media outlets appeared to show a fireball erupting above the airport in the moments following the crash. The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it deployed four ambulances and multiple specialist vehicles in response.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), London Southend Airport announced the cancellation of all flights and closure of the facility as a safety measure. The airport’s website showed at least five international flights had already been grounded due to the incident.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been notified and is expected to take the lead in determining the cause of the crash.
Located about 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of central London, Southend Airport primarily serves short-haul international destinations and functions as a key regional travel hub. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when normal operations will resume.
