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California: Eight people, including two Boeing employees, have been killed following a tragic B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California.

The incident occurred on Monday at 11:20 local time during a routine test mission intended to support the base's radar modernization program.

The aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff, bursting into flames and sending a massive plume of black smoke into the sky. Col. James Hayes confirmed the tragedy, describing the victims as a ‘mixed crew of military, government civilians and government contractors.’ Officials quickly determined the crash was "totally contained" on the runway and, after reviewing initial footage, declared it ‘an unrecoverable crash and unsurvivable.’

Following the incident, the base has temporarily grounded all operations. While the process of notifying next of kin is currently underway, base officials stated that the names of the victims will be released 24 hours after families have been informed.

Photo Credits: Debbie Reyes Katz