But just minutes after departing Southend, the aircraft came down near the runway perimeter.

“It all happened so quickly,” said one local resident who witnessed the plume of smoke rising over the fields. “We didn’t hear a loud crash—just the sound of sirens not long after.”

What Authorities Have Confirmed

No British Citizens on Board

According to Essex Police, all four people on board perished in the crash. While their names have not yet been officially released, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin told reporters that none of the victims are believed to be British nationals.

“We are now working closely with international authorities and forensic teams to confirm the identities of those on board,” Cronin said during a press briefing on Monday.

The victims are understood to be foreign nationals, possibly traveling for work or a specialized aviation mission. Zeusch Aviation’s website