Multiple fire crews, Essex Police, paramedics and the airport’s onsite firefighters are on the scene after residents reported seeing a ‘huge fireball’ and ‘explosion’ at the airport.
Police have now confirmed that a 12-metre plane crashed shortly before 4pm.
Residents are being advised to avoid the area as emergency services carry out their work.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.
“We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
“We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.”
A spokesman for 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.
“Please avoid the area if possible while this work continues.”
