vehicles collided

A day after more than 70 vehicles collided in a dust storm, killing at least six people, authorities confirmed that a motorway in central Illinois had reopened.

• According to authorities, the incidents along Interstate 55 happened just recently ploughed fields covered the road. Sangamon County contains Springfield, the state capital.

According to Illinois State Police, 37 persons .ccording to Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick, those hurt ranged in age from 2 to 80.
Police said Monday night that Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, was one of those died in the collisions. In order to notify the relatives of the five more victims and identify them, officials are continuing at work, according to the police.
The incidents, which occurred over a 2-mile stretch of I-55, included 72 automobiles, according to authorities. According to Starrick, two semi-trucks also caught fire.

All of the fatalities were recorded in the northbound lanes, despite the fact that the collisions occurred in both the north and southbound lanes, he added.
the highway reopened in both directions on Tuesday morning.

County coroner agencies have been contacted by CNN for further details.
incident was caused by strong gusts that blew dirt from farm fields over the roadway, reducing visibility to zero.

The brief section of highway was suddenly practically difficult to see due to 45 mph gusts picking up the dust, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

Rescuers had to handle “a difficult scene.”
A dense yellow cloud hovering over the highway is visible in photos from the accidents. Images of first responders assessing the wreckage show burning automobiles and smoke blending with haze.