Eight presumed dead after B-52 bomber crashes in California
Aftermath of U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crash
Eight people are feared dead after a B-52 bomber crashed near Edwards Air Force Base in California on Monday.
The bomber, on a routine test mission, crashed shortly after takeoff at 11:20 a.m. local time, with officials believing no one on board survived.
Horrific footage showed a charred runway with smoke billowing at the military base in Kern County following the fiery incident.
Emergency response personnel are on the scene, and the Edwards airfield was closed, diverting all inbound aircraft.
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of carrying nuclear or precision-guided weapons, and has been a key part of the U.S. strategic bomber force for over 60 years.
