A United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in California, according to the base authorities.

The incident occurred soon after departure, prompting an immediate emergency response at the site.

“Emergency crews immediately responded to the scene and the situation is ongoing,” the base wrote on Monday in a post on X.

At the time of reporting, officials had not confirmed any casualties, and the cause of the crash remained unclear.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic bomber designed to carry nuclear weapons, with a payload capacity of up to 70,000 pounds. Each aircraft is estimated to be worth about $110 million.

The crash comes less than 24 hours after another deadly aviation incident in the United States in which 12 people were killed when a plane went down near an airport in Missouri.

The fatal crash occurred on Sunday near Butler Memorial Airport in Bates County, south of Kansas City, the state’s largest city.

“Troopers are on scene assisting the Butler Police Department & Bates County Sheriff’s Office of a Fatal Plane Crash near the Butler Memorial Airport,” the Missouri State Highway Patrol posted on X

“At this time reports indicate all occupants (12 total) have perished,” it said.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sergeant Justin Ewing said the aircraft was being used for skydiving operations.

He added that emergency teams were alerted at about 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday after reports of a crash and fire.

According to him, firefighters quickly contained the blaze, while describing the scene as “brutal.”

“It landed in a field adjacent to the airport, but I think they’re shutting down the roadway just as a precaution,” Ewing said. (AlJazeera)

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