A small passenger plane has crashed after taking off in Essex.

The Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed at around 4pm on Sunday, soon after taking off from Southend airport, and was seen in flames with dark smoke billowing from it, according to photos circulating on social media.

Essex police said it was at the scene of a “serious incident”.

A statement from the force 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.”

Essex County fire and rescue service said four crews along with off-road vehicles attended the incident.

The East of England ambulance service said four ambulances and four hazardous area response team vehicles were at the scene in addition to an air ambulance.

The plane was scheduled to fly to Lelystad in the Netherlands, according to reports.

ESN Report wrote on X: “Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway. Thoughts are with those on the aircraft. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.”

David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West & Leigh, posted on X: “I am aware of an incident at Southend airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”

More details soon …