A London airport has been closed until further notice after a small plane crashed – with images emerging of a huge fireball and clouds of black smoke.

Images posted on social media show the blaze and smoke from the crash site near London Southend Airport in Essex.

All flights to and from the airport had been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators attended the incident, the airport said in a post on X on Sunday (local time).

“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport,” the local Essex police said, adding that they were alerted just before 4pm to reports of a collision involving a 12-metre plane.

“We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft. We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible,” they said.

The plane was reportedly bound for the Netherlands, although it was unclear how many people were on board.

Images from British newspaper websites, not verified by Reuters, showed a fireball rising into the air above Southend Airport, which is about 56 kilometres east of London.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it had sent four ambulances and other response vehicles.

The airport’s website showed five international flights had been cancelled following the accident.

The pilots of the plane waved at children shortly before the collision, a witness said.

John Johnson, who was at Southend with his children and wife, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane crashed “head first into the ground”.

“We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us,” he told the PA news agency.

“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 or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground,” he said.

“There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.

“All the kids saw it and the families saw it,” he said.

British Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said she was monitoring the situation and receiving updates.

“I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon. My thoughts are with all those involved,” she said.

“The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible.”

-with AAP