‘Five people presumed dead’ after MV-22B Osprey belonging to 3rd Marine Air Wing crashes in the Californian desert

‘Five people presumed dead’ after MV-22B Osprey belonging to 3rd Marine Air Wing crashes in the Californian desert

• The crash happened near Glamis, 30 miles north of the Mexican border and 150 miles east of San Diego
• Naval Air Facility El Centro said that the aircraft belonged to the 3rd Marine Air Wing, which is based in Miramar, San Diego 
• Five people were on board and all are presumed dead, according to FOX 5 reporter Malik Earnest
• The military has not confirmed how many people were on board, but they said initial reports that there was nuclear material on the aircraft were incorrect 
• Rescue teams from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma are en route to the crash site along with local fire and rescue teams

By NATASHA ANDERSON  and HARRIET ALEXANDER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 16:50 EDT, 8 June 2022 | UPDATED: 18:59 EDT, 8 June 2022

• e-mail

3.8kshares

349

View comments

A military aircraft from a Marine unit headquartered in Miramar, San Diego, has crashed in California, leaving officials to believe all five passengers are dead.

The MV-22B Osprey crashed in Imperial County near Highway 78 and the town of Glamis – 30 miles north of the Mexican border, and 150 miles east of San Diego.

The crash was confirmed by Naval Air Facility El Centro, 30 miles from the crash site. 

Pause

Next video

0:03

Full-screen

‘We can confirm that an aircraft belonging to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing crashed near Glamis, CA,’ they stated on their Facebook page. 

3rd MAW has units based in Miramar, Yuma, Pendleton and Twentynine Palms. 

‘Military and civilian first responders are on site.

‘Contrary to initial reports, there was no nuclear material on board the aircraft. More information will be made available as we receive it.’

The crash happened about 12:25pm local time, said 1st Lt. Duane Kampa, a 3rd MAW spokesman.

Officials believe at least five people were aboard at the time of the crash.

Investigators have presumed all passengers are dead, according to FOX 5 reporter Malik Earnest.

Footage from News 11 Yuma showed military personnel and first responders gathering in the desert, with a helicopter flying off to the crash site. Smoke could be faintly seen on the horizon.  

+9

View gallery

First responders and military personnel are seen arriving at the site of Wednesday’s crash