June 16, 2026 03:50 pm (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Tragedy in the skies: Five IAF personnel killed in AN-32 crash in Assam | 'Ask probe officers whether I hid anything': Abhishek Banerjee hits back after pre-dawn police search | Police storm Abhishek Banerjee's house at 3 am tracking aide, Mamata arrives; seizure list says 'NIL' | Big boost for India's security: DRDO successfully tests advanced missile shield | Indian-origin man jailed for 34 years in UK over horrific kidnap, torture and rape case | Mamata's nightmare deepens! Saayoni Ghosh, Dev, Rachana Banerjee among 19 rebel MPs seeking TMC split | Trump claims US 'ended war with Iran', Tehran yet to confirm a deal | Heartbreak for Indian sports: Manu Bhaker's mentor Jaspal Rana passes away at 49 | Three Indian seafarers, missing after US strike on tanker near Oman, confirmed dead | 'Choose your side': TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee's ultimatum to Mamata in open revolt against Abhishek
US Crash
US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes after take off in Southern California. Photo: X screengrab

US military tragedy: B-52 Bomber goes down seconds after takeoff, 8 killed

| @indiablooms | Jun 16, 2026, at 09:20 am

At least eight people, including two Boeing employees, were killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed shortly after takeoff in Southern California, according to media reports.

The aircraft had taken off from Edwards Air Force Base for a routine test mission when the accident occurred.

Following the crash, a thick plume of smoke was seen rising from the site and was visible from a considerable distance.

Also Read: Horror in US: 12 killed as skydiving plane crashes moments after takeoff

"Today, Edwards Air Force Base experienced a terrible tragedy, and we lost eight great Americans," Col. James Hayes was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Hayes said the crash was "totally contained" within the Edwards Air Force Base runway area, adding that the base has temporarily grounded operations following the incident.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

According to Hayes, the investigation into the cause of the accident could take more than six months to complete.

In a separate statement posted on X, Edwards Air Force Base said: "A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on the Edwards airfield at 11:20 a.m."

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed condolences over the loss of lives.

"My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Edwards Air Force Base community impacted by this tragic incident," he wrote on X.

According to the US Air Force website, the B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber capable of performing a wide range of missions.

US Representative Vince Fong described the incident as "heartbreaking."

Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash as officials work to determine what led to one of the deadliest incidents involving the iconic bomber in recent years.

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.