Eight people were killed Monday after a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber crashed and burst into flames shortly after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft, one of the US Air Force's longest-used bombers, crashed in a fiery explosion that sent up thick plumes of smoke in the Mojave desert, located north-east of Los Angeles.
The bomber was carrying a mix of military personnel, government employees, and civilian contractors on a routine test mission. Among the victims was a man who, according to his wife, had recently welcomed a new son.
A safety investigation probe has been initiated to determine the cause of the tragedy, though there was no immediate indication as to why the aircraft went down. Officials stated that the investigation into the crash could take up to six months to complete.