An aircraft crashed “head first into the ground” shortly after take-off from London Southend airport on Sunday afternoon.

Shocked witnesses saw a huge fireball erupt following the crash involving the 12-metre-long aircraft at the airport in Essex shortly before 4pm.

It is not known how many people were on the flight, or if there are casualties. Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in The Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight had been “involved in an accident”.

The statement said the company was “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation”, adding: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”

Flight tracking data suggests the aircraft was a Beech B200 Super King Air, a US-built twin engine aircraft which was bound for Lelystad. It is reported that the plane had been used to transport medical patients.

On Sunday evening, the airport announced it was closed until further notice.

Airport staff watch as the emergency services tackle the blaze (X/@agussromagnoli)
John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife, said he saw the “big fireball” after the plane crashed.

“We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us,” he said. “The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway.

“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.

“Everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.”

People inside the nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club were evacuated. Bartender James Philpott told the BBC he felt a “big heat wave” before looking up to a “massive fireball” in the sky.

He said: “People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.”

Essex Police, The East of England Ambulance Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service all responded to the crash.

Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: “In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex.”

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.”

The East of England Ambulance Service said four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were sent to the incident.

Southend airport said the incident involved a “general aviation aircraft” and the airport was “working closely with the local authorities”.

Passengers due to travel on Monday are advised to contact their airline.