The US military confirmed on the 15th that a B-52 strategic bomber carrying eight people crashed that day in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. Preliminary investigations presume that all crew members on board have perished.
This is the first B-52 strategic bomber incident in 10 years. The previous accident occurred in May 2016, when a bomber of the same model crashed in Guam, but all seven crew members survived.
Edwards Air Force Base released information stating that the bomber took off from the base at around 11:20 a.m. local time on the 15th and crashed shortly thereafter. Preliminary investigation indicates that "there is no chance of survival in this crash."
Rescue personnel have arrived at the scene, and relevant departments are verifying the situation. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
According to local media reports, the crash site is located about 160 kilometers north of Los Angeles.
The B-52 strategic bomber, nicknamed the "Stratofortress," is typically operated by five crew members. It is capable of carrying nuclear weapons as well as a variety of precision-guided weapons and has been in service since 1955.