WASHINGTON, June 16: Eight people were killed after a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff at a US Air Force base in Southern California’s Mojave Desert, military officials said.
The aircraft went down at around 11:20 am local time near the runway at Edwards Air Force Base. The US military said emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the crash site.
Aerial footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the desert area following the crash. Authorities closed the airfield and diverted all inbound aircraft as rescue and recovery operations continued.
The base also suspended all non-commercial visitor passes to allow officials to focus on emergency response efforts.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and an investigation has been launched.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, which entered service in 1955, is a long-range strategic bomber capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons. Edwards Air Force Base serves as a major centre for aircraft testing and development for the US Air Force. (Agencies)
