Eight Killed in 71-Vehicle Kansas Dust Storm Pileup

A severe dust storm in Kansas led to a catastrophic 71-vehicle pileup on Interstate 70, resulting in eight fatalities and numerous injuries. The storm, described as having hurricane-strength winds, reduced visibility to near zero, causing chaos and making it one of the worst incidents local authorities have encountered. The closure of I-70 in both directions was necessary to manage the aftermath, which left a field of mangled vehicles and debris. Efforts by first responders were severely challenged due to the conditions and the scale of the incident, which required mutual aid from multiple jurisdictions. A similar weather pattern caused another multi-vehicle crash in Arizona the day before, highlighting the widespread impact of the extreme weather. The incidents underscore the importance of vigilance when driving in adverse conditions, as visibility can swiftly deteriorate.