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Around 20 vehicles were involved in the accident, leaving eight dead
Photo: - / dpa
A sandstorm led to a pile-up in the US state of Utah, in which eight people died.
The storm reduced visibility on a busy freeway in western Utah to almost zero, officials said.
Children were also among the dead.
Several people were taken to nearby hospitals, at least three were in mortal danger.
Around 20 vehicles were involved in a "series of clashes" around 240 kilometers south of Salt Lake City on Sunday, as reported by CNN, among others.
Videos recorded of passing motorists showed trucks, RVs, cars and trailers partially wedged together and surrounded by debris scattered on the roadway.
"Stunned and sad about the terrible accidents"
According to the authorities, five of the dead were in a single vehicle.
"One of the vehicles with a trailer was almost completely destroyed," a traffic policeman told the local broadcaster CBS.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox was "stunned and saddened by the terrible accidents."
Sandstorms are normal in the very dry and desert-shaped state.
On Sunday, the weather authority warned of gusts of wind of more than 80 km / h in the region and advised “caution when traveling through the area”.
lmd / AFP