US B-52 bomber crashes shortly after take-off from base in California

A United States Air Force bomber has crashed shortly after taking off from an American base.

The B-52 Stratofortress came down shortly after taking off from the Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to the base's X account.

It said the crash was just after 11.20am local time, around 7.20pm in the UK.

"Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing," it added. "More information will be provided as it becomes available."

There was no immediate information on whether anyone was hurt.

A B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range bomber designed to carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, is typically crewed by five people.

Video from the scene showed a huge plume of black smoke rising near the base, which is located in the Mojave Desert, northeast of Los Angeles.

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In a later update, the base said the airfield had been closed, with all inbound aircraft currently being diverted.

It added: "All non-commercial visitor passes have been suspended until further notice to allow the installation to focus entirely on emergency response operations."

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