The B-52 Stratofortress that may have been involved in the blast landed near forces training at Godoria Range, along the northern coast of Djibouti, the statement said.

The incident was under investigation.

Two people suffered minor injuries and were treated at Camp Lemonier. Six others were taken to Bouffard Hospital in Djibouti for treatment.

Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, which were supporting the exercise, were damaged in the accident.

The forces supporting the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were participating in a routine training exercise.

The headquarters of a US counterterrorism task force in the Horn of Africa is at Camp Lemonier, a former French Foreign Legion base in Djibouti.

The joint task force was set up last fall to pursue suspected al-Qaeda terrorists in the Horn of Africa and to step up the US military presence in the region.

WAR.WIRE