Multi-Vehicle Pileup of 90 Cars in Sandstorm Causes Chaos... Emergency Declared in Illinois, USA

At Least 6 Dead and Over 30 Injured

A sandstorm swept through central Illinois in the U.S. Great Plains region, causing a 90-vehicle pileup on the highway that left at least six people dead and more than 30 injured, according to major U.S. media outlets including CNN on the 1st (local time).

The accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Interstate 55 (I-55), which connects Springfield, the capital of Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.

A dust storm on a highway in central Illinois, located in the U.S. Great Plains region, caused a 90-vehicle pileup, resulting in at least 6 deaths and over 30 injuries.
[Image source=UPI Yonhap News]

Local police officials said that as many as 90 vehicles collided or crashed, stating, "The accident vehicles are scattered here and there over a 3.2 km stretch of the highway."

The police believe that a sudden gust of wind lifted soil and sand from a nearby farm, obscuring drivers' visibility.

Local meteorological authorities explained, "At the time of the accident, wind speeds were between 55 and 72 km/h," adding, "The storm that occurred west of I-55 affected a 30 to 50 km section."

The casualties range in age from 2 years old to people in their 80s, with some of the injured in critical condition.

A dust storm on a highway in central Illinois, located in the U.S. Great Plains region, caused a 90-vehicle pileup, resulting in at least 6 deaths and over 30 injuries.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Two trucks caught fire at the accident scene, leading to explosions.

The police reported, "Finely crushed soil prepared for sowing was suddenly blown onto the highway by strong winds."

Even after the accident, the sandstorm did not subside, hampering rescue efforts.

Multi-vehicle collision involving 90 vehicles in central Illinois, USA
[Photo source: Screenshot from witness's Facebook page · Yonhap News]

Kevin Scott, director of the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency in Illinois, described the scene as "an unprecedentedly difficult situation."

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said in a statement, "We are monitoring this horrific situation," and pledged, "We will provide appropriate support to all those affected by this tragic accident."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.