US B-52 bomber crashes in California; 8 aboard

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber crashed in California on Monday, shortly after departing from Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact northeast of Los Angeles.

Eight people were aboard the bomber at the time of the crash. Early indications suggest that there were no survivors. The U.S. military has scheduled a press conference for Monday afternoon local time to provide further details on the incident.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range bomber that has been in service since 1955. Typically, these aircraft carry five crew members and are capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads. The aircraft have been deployed in various conflicts, including those in Vietnam and Iran. It remains unknown if any weapons were on board during Monday's accident.

The crash occurred around 11:20 a.m. local time. Edwards Air Force Base, located in the Mojave Desert approximately 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles, was temporarily closed to air traffic following the incident, with all incoming flights being rerouted. Television footage showed smoke rising from the crash site, with little remaining of the bomber.