At least five people were killed and several were injured following dozens of vehicles were involved in a pileup on an interstate highway in southeastern Missouri, authorities said.
The collisions began around 8 a.m. on Interstate 57 as thick fog engulfed the Charleston area, regarding 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of St. Louis.
Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker confirmed all five deaths and said a mobile morgue has been set up at a Charleston funeral home, KFVS-TV reported.
Mississippi County Emergency Services Director Zach Bolden estimated that 40 to 50 vehicles were involved in the collisions, including several cargo trucks.
The interstate highway was closed for regarding 25 miles (40 kilometers) in both directions in Mississippi County, from the Missouri-Illinois border to Sikeston, Missouri.
For his part, Robert Hearnes, director of the Charleston Department of Public Safety, said the interstate will probably remain closed for most of the day. In addition to removing vehicles, he added, workers will have to clean up spilled diesel, beans and other products on the highway.
