Police have confirmed that all four occupants of a small aircraft that crashed near London Southend Airport yesterday have died. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, but they are believed to be foreign nationals.
The crash involved a Dutch-registered Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, which was departing for Lelystad in the Netherlands when it came down shortly after takeoff. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane banked heavily to its left before crashing in a fireball near the airport's perimeter.
London Southend Airport remains closed as recovery and investigation efforts continue. A statement on the airport's website reads: "Due to a serious incident at London Southend Airport, we regret to advise that the airport is closed until further notice. All flights to and from the Airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services, and air accident investigators are attending the incident."