Investigators are trying to establish why the Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed at London Southend Airport.

Four foreign nationals died in a plane crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday, police have confirmed.

The people on board are believed to be two pilots and two passengers, who were travelling in a Beechcraft B200 aircraft when the plane crashed and burst into flames, The Standard reported.

Officers were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday, 14 July, to “reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane” at the airport, calling it a “serious incident”.

Images posted on social media showed a plume of fire and black smoke coming from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing a “fireball” shortly after the plane took off.

Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been “involved in an accident” at London Southend Airport and said it was “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation”.

What caused the Southend plane crash?

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Essex Police’s Detective Chief Superintendent (DCS) Morgan Cronin said his team was working with air accident investigators, the Royal Air Force, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the airport to “build an accurate picture of what happened”.

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DCS Cronin added that the Civil Aviation Authority had put in place a significant air exclusion zone surrounding the crash site, and that officers were speaking with witnesses, many of whom provided footage.

“We’d like to thank them for their help. I know this would be an extremely distressing scene for them,” he said.

Lisa Fitzsimons, of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash.

She said investigators had managed to secure the site, which will allow them to start looking for evidence. The remains of the plane will be taken to the branch’s facility in Farnborough, Hampshire, for closer analysis, she added.

A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway. (@agussromagnoli via X/via Reuters)

Essex Police has urged people with relevant information to share details via its major incident public portal on its website. You can also contact the force’s dedicated phone lines on 0800 096 1011 from the UK, or 020 7158 0126 from abroad.

In a statement, the AAIB said: “The AAIB has started an investigation into an accident involving an aircraft near Southend Airport which occurred yesterday afternoon.

“A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data arrived at the accident site yesterday afternoon. Inquiries are ongoing today.”

Eyewitness Ben Guppy, who was plane spotting from a nearby Holiday Inn with his one-year-old daughter at the time, told MailOnline the aircraft had “corkscrewed upside down” – meaning it made a spiralling descent to the ground.

Southend plane crash. (PA)

“The plane was only in the air for seconds,” he said. “I looked at it and the fireball went up, there was fire and smoke everywhere. Luckily my daughter was facing the other way.”

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John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said: “It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left.

“And then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.

“There was a big fireball,” added Johnson, from Billericay. “I’d say that we’re pretty shaken up. I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family.”

Who were the victims?

While two pilots and “two passengers are believed to have been killed, their identities have not been revealed.

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At Monday’s conference, DCS Cronin, who is leading Essex Police’s investigation, said the four people were all believed to be foreign nationals and said investigators were working to establish their identities.

He added: “Our thoughts are with the families and their colleagues at this tragic time, I can promise that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.”

Where was the plane flying from?

The plane had flown from the Greek capital Athens to Pula in Croatia on Sunday before heading to Southend.

It was scheduled to return to Lelystad in the Netherlands on Sunday night.

Who are Zeusch Aviation?

Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, says it offers a “wide variety of professional support services using our King Air C90A and King Air B200 aircraft”.

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These services include medical evacuation, transplant flights, aerial mapping, relay flights for broadcasting and aerial surveillance, it says on its website.

The company says the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air can be used for medical flights to transport patients or organs. It has also been deployed for aerial mapping flights.

Emergency services attending the scene at Southend Airport on Sunday. (Getty Images)

Zeusch Aviation confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been “involved in an accident” at the airport and said it was “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation”.

“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected,” the company added.

Have other planes been cancelled or delayed?

There were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at London Southend Airport on Monday.

It says on its website that all flights today have been rerouted, urging travellers to contact their airlines for more information. Car parking facilities at the airport are operating as usual.

At Monday’s conference, the airport’s chief executive, Jude Winstanley, said: “On behalf of everyone at London Southend Airport, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those lost in yesterday’s tragic incident.

“We would also like to thank our local community for their messages of support and understanding at this difficult time.

“Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work. I would like to thank them for all of their hard work during this period.

“We are in constant dialogue with our operating airlines, and as I’m sure everyone will understand, the airport will remain closed until further notice. Passengers should contact their airline for information and advice.”