B-52 crash kills at least two

Updated 22.19 Mon Jul 21 2008

Keywords: US Air Force, B-52, crash, Guam

Two US airmen were killed and four are missing after a B-52 bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

The accident took place shortly after the plane took off while preparing to fly in a Liberation Day parade in the US territory of Guam, officials said.

The bomber, which had no weapons on board, crashed about 15 minutes before the parade was due to begin, the US Air Force said in a statement. There were six crew members

The bomber, which had no weapons on board, crashed about 15 minutes before the parade was due to begin, the US Air Force said in a statement. There were six crew members.

The bodies of two airmen were later recovered approximately 30 miles northwest of Guam, where a search and rescue operation is still under way.

The Air Force said one of the crew members had been identified but that the airman's identity would be withheld until next-of-kin could be notified.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the crash.

The plane had been meant to take part in a parade commemorating Guam's 1944 liberation from Japanese occupation in World War Two.