Southend Airport reopens to the public after deadly crash – with flights to restart

The tragic incident killed four people

LONDON Southend Airport will partially reopen today following a plane crash that occurred on Sunday, killing four people.

A Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft was flying to Lelystad in the Netherlands when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport on Sunday afternoon.
London Southend Airport has reopened to the publicCredit: Getty

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The airport has remained closed since SundayCredit: Louis Wood
Witnesses of the incident described seeing a “huge fireball” just before 4pm.

All four passengers onboard the flight were killed.

Other witnesses also shared hot the pilots had been waving a children shortly before the crash occurred.

The airport closed on Sunday following the incident and has remained fully closed until today.

A spokesperson for the airport said: “London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday’s tragic air accident and subsequent closure.

“Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening.

“Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight.

“Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July 2025.”

The aircraft was a medical transport jet, equipped with medical systems for transporting patients.

However, it remains unclear whether there was a patient onboard the flight at the time of the crash.

Despite there being four passengers onboard, the jet can carry around 12 people.

One witness, John Johnson, said: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us.

“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 of less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.”

He added that multiple children saw the incident and “we’re pretty shaken up”.

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Witnesses recalled seeing a “huge fireball” shortly after the plane crashedCredit: Reuters
He continued: “I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.”

Two Dutch pilots died in the crash and so did a Chilean nurse, 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz.

A doctor also died in the crash and has been named as German national, Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.

The spokesperson added: “Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday.

“Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work.

“Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service.

“The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support.”