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**Small Plane Crashes Shortly After Takeoff from Southend Airport, No Casualties Reported**
**Southend-on-Sea, UK** – A small passenger plane crashed shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, engulfing the aircraft in flames and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. While the incident prompted a large-scale emergency response, authorities have so far reported no casualties.
The crash occurred around 4:00 PM local time. Preliminary reports identify the aircraft as a Beech B200 Super King Air, a twin-engine turboprop jet, which was destined for Lelystad in the Netherlands.
Emergency services, including police, fire brigades, and rescue teams, were immediately dispatched to the scene. The number of people onboard the aircraft remains unconfirmed.
Witnesses described the event as tragic. One witness stated that they had waved to the flight crew moments before the crash.
“Police are currently on the scene following a serious incident at Southend Airport,” stated a police spokesperson. “The emergency operation is expected to continue for several hours, and we are asking people to avoid the area.”
An airport spokesperson confirmed the incident involved a general aviation aircraft. “We can confirm that there has been a serious incident involving an aircraft at London Southend Airport this afternoon,” the statement read. “We are working with the local authorities to support their response.”
At least four scheduled flights were canceled Sunday afternoon as a result of the incident, according to the airport’s website. Authorities have yet to release information regarding the number of passengers on board and their condition. The investigation is ongoing.