US military plane suspected of carrying nuclear material crashed in the desert

Local media KYMA and KECY reported that the crash happened at about 1 p.m. (local time) on June 8 in a remote area near Highway 78 and Coachella Canal, near the Naval Aviation Facility in El Centro, California, about a distance from San Diego about 160 km to the east and more than 48 km to the north of the Mexican border.

Plane The MV-22B Osprey crashed in the 3rd Marine Squadron.

According to initial sources, the plane that crashed during a drill was carrying “nuclear material” and the entire crew of five people is suspected to have died. Radio RT Citing the information, a local reporter posted on Twitter that “preliminary information indicates that the aircraft was carrying nuclear material”.

The cause of the plane crash is unknown. Photo: RT

However, a spokesman for the Marines, Captain Duane Kampa, denied that the plane was carrying radioactive material when it crashed near the Glamis area.

“We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to the 3rd Marine Squadron crashed near Glamis. Military and civilian responders were on the scene. Contrary to previous reports,” the spokesperson said. rumors on social media, there is no nuclear material on board.”

Later, a Pentagon spokesman also confirmed: “I can confirm a V-22 has crashed in Glamis, California. There is no nuclear material on board. Also, we have not yet. more information”.

The number of people on board and their conditions have not been released. Each Osprey crew usually has 3-5 people, depending on the mission.

An MV-22B Osprey aircraft during a rehearsal. Photo: US Navy.

Local media at the scene described a plume of smoke rising over the desert. The area is marked “Danger: Military Training In progress. Do not enter”. Gil Rebollar, a spokesman for the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, said multiple agencies and emergency medical personnel were at the crash site.

The incident comes nearly three months after four US Marines were killed in Norway during a NATO exercise using the same aircraft.

The US Navy says the MV-22B Osprey can act as a helicopter or a propeller jet. The aircraft, ordered by the Pentagon to be developed in 1983, is mainly used to transport troops, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat and attack support.