Eight people are feared to have died when a B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off in California on Monday, the US air force base where the accident happened said.

Edwards Air Force Base said emergency responders were on the scene.

A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber has crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California

An official said an investigation could take up to six months and noted the B-52 in question was involved in a "radar modernization program."