Police: Dust storm crash in New Mexico kills 6

Several vehicles were involved in a crash on Interstate 10 in southwestern New Mexico during a dust storm, killing at least six people, the New Mexico State Police said.

The crash in Hidalgo County, several miles from the Arizona border, came as New Mexico and the region was struck Thursday afternoon by a violent storm system.

Severe weather and large hail caused multiple car wrecks in northern New Mexico on Thursday and the eastern part of the state saw damaging winds reaching more than 60 mph.

Police said in a news release that six people were confirmed dead in the collision, but the brief statement did not include any details about injuries.

There was no further word on the specific number or types of vehicles involved, but the Arizona Daily Star of Tucson reported that Arizona state officials say a tractor-trailer rig fire was involved.

The interstate was shut down in both directions. Westbound lanes reopened later but the status of the eastbound lanes, where the crash happened, wasn’t immediately clear early Friday.

Police say no other details are available.