Although they are not as common as storms that drop water or snow, dust storms can be equally or more dangerous if they occur suddenly. This meteorological phenomenon, which is common in areas of Africa or arid regions and which is increasing due to climate change, refers to the large-scale transfer of dust, which can travel for thousands of kilometers and occurs without visibility. Skips scenes and makes it impossible. for many activities.
Now a dust storm has left several car accidents in the northern United States, killing at least six people and injuring another 30 to varying degrees. The incident occurred at 11:00 a.m. (local time) on Monday on Interstate 55, a southbound highway. Illinois It unites the cities of San Luis and Chicago and has also left shocking images of the moment and how the affected vehicles were abandoned.
https://twitter.com/ILStatePolice/status/1653256376687230976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Dozens of them were passenger cars, but there were also trucks, which were intercepted when they were moving in convoy on the highway ocher dust from the fields next to the track, Some were damaged and piled together and others ran between the green margins on both sides of the road to try to avoid hitting the affected people.
Illinois police confirmed earlier that six people died Several accidents resulted and more than 35 people aged 2 to 87 had to be referred to hospital centers in the area. In addition, at least two trucks caught fire and one of them exploded.
“Approximately 30 commercial vehicles and between 40 and 60 cars are involved. This includes two semi-trailer trucks Set on fire due to collisions,” the police force added in a statement. The highway remained closed in both directions for hours.
Many of these types of accidents, the police recalled, “are caused by strong winds that blow dust from agricultural areas onto the road, reducing visibility to nil.” In July 2021Eight people died in a pileup caused by a similar sandstorm, in this case in Utah in the west of the country.
