Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleEight 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. In fullB-52 bomber crashes along runway near Edwards Air Force Base in CaliforniaThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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."

Eight people were killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in California's Mojave Desert on Monday.