The English airport London Southend is still closed after a small Dutch plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday afternoon. Witnesses speak of a “fireball”. Nothing is yet known about occupants. The plane was en route to Lelystad Airport.
The Dutch owner of the plane, Zeusch Aviation, confirmed the accident on Monday and said it was providing “active support” in the investigation into its cause. Eyewitnesses said the plane leaned to the left shortly after takeoff and crashed and caught fire seconds later.
Zeusch Aviation specializes in medical evacuations and transplant flights and also provides private charters. It is unclear whether the plane was conducting a medical evacuation on Sunday or whether a patient was on board during the crash.
London Southend Airport is closed until further notice, all flights have been cancelled. Police, emergency services and aviation investigators are investigating the accident, the airport reported on X on Sunday evening.
Southend is one of the smaller airports around the English capital London. About ten commercial flights land and depart there every day.