8 dead in crash amid Utah sandstorm

Eight people died and several others were critically injured Sunday in a multi-vehicle accident that took place during a sandstorm in Utah.

The Utah Department of Public Service (UDPS) said the crash involved 22 vehicles on I-15 near Kanosh. The accident was caused by high winds from a sandstorm that impaired visibility, according to the agency.

Authorities said five people in one vehicle were killed, along with two in another vehicle and one person from a third. Ten people were transported to medical facilities and three are now are in critical condition, according to UDPS.

UDPS said the names of the victims won’t be released until their families are notified.

Scientists have said that climate change is fueling the droughts and wildfires sweeping through much of the West and Southwest.

According to CNN, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that Utah was in the two most extreme categories of drought last week.