8 Killed After B-52 Bomber Crashes At US Base In California

All eight people aboard a US B-52 bomber that crashed in California on Monday are feared dead, Edwards Air Force Base said, with pictures from the scene showing the aftermath of a large fire that appeared to have destroyed the aircraft. The crash happened around lunchtime at the base, a major operations center for the US military around 60 miles (95 kilometers) north of Los Angeles. "An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress carrying eight people on a routine test mission crashed today shortly after takeoff at 11.20 am (1800 GMT). Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable," said a statement from Edwards Air Force Base. "Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel," the statement said, adding that the crash was under investigation.