US B-52 Bomber Crashes, 8 Killed

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber has crashed in California, killing all eight people on board. The aircraft went down shortly after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, according to reports by the BBC.

The bomber was conducting a routine test flight at the time of the accident. Those on board included military personnel, government officials, and civilian contractors. Rescue teams were dispatched to the crash site and immediately began recovery operations.

Witnesses reported seeing a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky after the aircraft crashed. The U.S. Air Force has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.

The B-52 is one of the most well-known strategic bombers in the U.S. military. It is capable of flying long distances and carrying a large payload of weapons. The aircraft has recently been used in U.S. military operations against Iran.