Military plane crashes in US as five people on board are believed dead

The military plane went down in the Imperial County area of ​​Southern California near Route 78 – with military and emergency services now at the scene as five people are believed dead

A military plane has crashed in the United States, killing five people on board.

The crash occurred in the Imperial County area of ​​California, United States, near Route 78.

The plane, which belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, crashed at 12:25 p.m. local time.

It was initially reported that the plane might have been carrying nuclear material, but this was later denied by the military.

In a statement, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS Yuma) said: “We cannot confirm that a plane from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, CA.

“Military and civilian first responders are on site. Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft.”

San Diego air reporter Malik Earnest previously tweeted: “According to local reports, a military plane crashed in the Imperial County area of ​​California.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was loaded with nuclear material with at least 5 people on board. Rescue efforts and an investigation are underway.”

Four people are believed dead while rescue teams are looking for a fifth passenger, also presumed dead.

Rescue workers and the military are currently on site.

A V-22 Osprey is believed to have been involved in the crash

The Naval Air Facility El Centro Facebook page said: “NAFEC has just received reports of a plane crashing near Coachella Canal Road and 78.

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“Installation Federal Fire and Imperial County Fire Department respond, we have no further details at this time.

“As soon as the facts are verified and available, information will be posted on the base’s Facebook page. Please be patient while the installation team works through this emergency.”

The crash occurred near Glamis, an unincorporated community in the Colorado desert.

Reporters at the scene also reported that around 2 p.m. local time, a thin plume of smoke rose from the area.

MCAS Yuma has been posting pictures on his Facebook for the last 20 hours of a training session.

MCAS Yuma wrote: “An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) transports ordnance to Old Highway 101 near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton during an Expeditionary Advanced Base Operation (EABO) exercise. California, May 25, 2022.

“This exercise will continue to assess EABOs across the U.S. Marine Corps to improve requirements and inform lessons learned for future deployments to support the air combat element and goals of Force Design 2030.”