Illinois dust storm: multiple deaths reported in highway pile-up

At least six people were reported killed and dozens of others injured on Monday in multiple car crashes and pile-ups along Interstate 55 in southern Illinois during a dust storm, state police said.

Roughly 40 to 60 passenger cars and several big-rig trucks were involved in the crashes shortly after 11am local time (12pm ET), Maj Ryan Starrick of the state police said.

About 30 people were transported to local hospitals with injuries, the spokesman said. Two of the trucks caught fire and it was possible one of them had exploded.

Local reports on Monday afternoon cited authorities saying that six people had so far died.

The highway remained closed in both directions several hours later. The crashes occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes.

The Auburn Travel Center in Divernon was established as a reunification spot for travelers.