California: A long-range US military aircraft has crashed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, killing all eight people on board, officials confirmed. The Boeing-manufactured B-52 bomber plunged to the ground shortly after takeoff at approximately 11:20am on Monday during a routine test mission.

The aircraft burst into flames upon impact, with officials concluding from aerial footage that there could not have been any survivors. The eight victims included military personnel and government contractors, with Boeing confirming that two of its employees were on board. California Governor Gavin Newsom offered his condolences, saying it was "a tragic incident."

The B-52, one of the US Air Force's longest-used bombers, has been in operation since 1955 and is known for its low maintenance and high performance. It can run without refuelling for about 14,000 kilometres and has been deployed in numerous conflicts from the Vietnam War to the US-Israel war on Iran. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials saying it could take up to six months to determine what happened.

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