The US B-52 strategic bomber crashed in California. All eight people on board are presumed dead

A B-52 strategic bomber of the United States crashed in the Mojave Desert region in southern California. Preliminary investigation indicates that all eight people on board were killed.

AFP reported that the US Air Force Edwards Air Base released a statement saying that the bomber crashed shortly after taking off at around 11:20 am on Monday (June 15th, Singapore time 2:20 am) of this week. Initial indications suggest that no one on board survived. Emergency rescue personnel have arrived at the scene. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Local media reported that the crash site was approximately 160 kilometers north of Los Angeles.

The Edwards Air Force Base of the US military has been closed. The aerial footage shows a large area of charred ground on the ground.

The B-52 strategic bomber is nicknamed "Stratospheric Fortress". It usually consists of five crew members: the captain, the pilot, the radar navigator, the navigator, and the electronic warfare officer. It can carry nuclear weapons as well as various precision-guided weapons. It has been in service since 1955.