Multiple people have been killed in a horrific pile-up after a hazardous dust storm left drivers blinded.
At least thirty people were taken to hospital in South-Central Illinois, US, with injuries after 40-60 passenger cars were involved in the collision.
Drivers were being left with a visibility of "less than a quarter of a mile", according to police.
Two of the lorries caught fire and, according to eyewitnesses, one of them had exploded. It is not currently known how many people have died from the crash.
The highway currently remains shut in both directions and is not expected to reopen on Tuesday.
Illinois State Police said officers were responding to multiple crashes as the "visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust."
Major Ryan Starrick said in a press conference: "The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility."
Divernon City Hall was being used as a reunification location for families of those involved in the crash, authorities said.
US congresswoman Nikki Budzinski of Illinois said on Twitter: "My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold."
Images and video posted to social media shows the huge dust storm and smoke in the air - including the sound of a reported explosion.
Since the devastating car crash, a "blow-dust" warning has since been issued in Illinois, US, and remains in place until 7pm tonight.
The National Weather Service urged people to stay indoors and motorists to stay clear off the roads until later this evening - with wind speeds reaching 40mph.
The National Weather Service said: "Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero.
"If you encounter blowing dust on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep your foot off the brake pedal."
According to the National Weather Service, "a dust storm is a wall of dust and debris that is blown into an area by strong winds from thunderstorms.
"The wall of dust created by a dust storm can be miles long and several thousand feet high."
Cops have urged drivers to seek alternate routes with traffic being diverted.
