B-52 bomber crashes after takeoff from California base; 8 die

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(The Center Square) - A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff Monday morning from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.

All eight people aboard the aircraft, which was on a routine test mission, were killed, Edwards Air Force Base said.

Emergency crews responded immediately when the crash occurred at 11:20 a.m. at the airport, located in the Mojave Desert about 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

According to Edwards Air Force Base, the airfield has been closed, inbound aircraft are being rerouted, and noncommercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice. 

Emergency response operations are underway, and an investigation into the crash is ongoing.

The Center Square reached out Monday to Edwards Air Force Base for more comment, but was referred to the base's Facebook page, where Edwards said, “We will continue to update as more information is confirmed."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and unit members at this time," Edwards said on Facebook.