A small aircraft crashed and burst into flames at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, killing all four people on board, according to the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives website. The victims are two pilots a doctor and a nurse, who were travelling in a Beechcraft B200 aircraft.

The crash occurred shortly before 4 pm (BST) at the airport located on England’s southeast coast, prompting a major emergency response and widespread flight cancellations. Essex Police confirmed they were alerted to reports of a 12-metre general aviation plane on fire at the Southend-on-Sea site.

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Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash. Southend Airport has announced it will remain closed until further notice. Essex Police are expected to release a detailed update later this afternoon.

According to the Bureau’s preliminary report, the twin-engine aircraft began to roll left during its initial climb before nosediving uncontrollably into a grassy area near the runway, where it exploded into flames.

Dramatic visuals shared online showed a massive fireball erupting at the crash site, followed by thick black smoke rising into the sky. Eyewitnesses in the vicinity described hearing a loud explosion.

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In a statement posted on social media, Southend Airport confirmed a “serious incident” involving a general aviation aircraft. The airport later announced that all flights to and from the facility have been cancelled until further notice as police, emergency responders and air crash investigators continue to assess the scene.

British media reports identified the downed plane as a medical transport aircraft, equipped with specialised systems for patient transfer. 

The aircraft was headed to Lelystad in the Netherlands. Southend Airport, located about 35 miles east of London, remains closed in the aftermath of the incident, PA Media reported.