A terrible collision of more than 40 vehicles due to a severe dust storm in the US state of Illinois

Weather of Arabia - Six people were killed and at least 37 others were injured in a terrible collision of dozens of vehicles yesterday, Monday, when a rare dust storm swept through a rural area and highway in the US state of Illinois, causing conditions of "no visibility", according to the Illinois State Police.

Police said in a statement that the crash, along a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55 in central Illinois, occurred on both sides of the interstate shortly before 11 a.m. The accidents involved 72 vehicles, including passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including two trailers that caught fire because they contained diesel. The highway in that area remained closed in both directions until early Tuesday morning.

The authorities stated that the injured ranged between the ages of 2 and 80, and their injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, and they added that it was difficult to get the passengers out of their cars, some of which caught fire.

In describing the event, the authorities stated that the dust storm came quickly, creating conditions similar to a white blizzard, with visibility greatly reduced, according to the American New York Times.

According to the National Weather Service, although dust storms can occur anywhere in the United States, they are more common in the Southwest and rarely occur in central Illinois, said Ben Doublebes, a meteorologist with the service.

A dry spell, along with very strong winds, made up Monday's dust storm, Doublebes added, noting that Springfield Airport -- about 30 miles north of the crash site -- recorded only half of the normal rainfall for April.

Arabia Weather explains the scientific reasons behind the dusty wave in Illinois

With regard to the scientific reasons behind the exposure of the US state of Illinois to a dust storm, the Arab Weather Center explained that it was the result of the formation of a deep depression in the northwestern regions of the United States, which pushed active and cold northwesterly winds, accompanied by strong gusts.

The cold winds are heavy in weight, and as a result of the wind being cold and heavy in addition to being active in speed , an unusual dust storm was formed in the state. God knows