7 people died and several more were injured in a multiple crash caused by a sandstorm

(CNN) – Seven people were killed and several more seriously injured when a sand or dust storm triggered a series of crashes involving 20 vehicles in Utah on Sunday night, authorities said.

The accidents occurred on I-15 near Kanosh, the Utah Department of Public Service (DPS) said in a news release.

Several people were taken to local hospitals in critical condition, authorities said. They did not specify how many people were injured, but noted that there could be more deaths.

“It appears that 20 vehicles were involved in Sunday’s crashes after high winds caused a sand or dust storm and affected visibility on the highway,” the statement said. “The Utah Highway Patrol called in agents from Richfield and Beaver to help. Several ground and air ambulances also responded to transport the victims.”

Images from the crash site show several damaged trailers and passenger vehicles on the road, with debris for several meters. At least one vehicle appears to have had the passenger doors ripped off.

A sandstorm in Millard County, Utah, caused a series of fatal accidents on I-15, authorities said Sunday.

DPS closed the road in both directions after the accident, which occurred just before 5 p.m., authorities said.

A heavy storm was reported southeast of Kanosh around 4:30 p.m., with strong winds that occurred as the storm subsided, CNN meteorologist Gene Norman said.

The names of the victims will not be released until 24 hours after their families have been notified, according to the statement.

Kanosh is about 250 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.