Video: Freak sandstorm causes 80 car pile-up (DE)

Photo: BBC

A district in Northern Germany saw a freak sandstorm which created an 80 car pile-up and caused at least 8 fatalities. Three lorries were involved and 20 cars caught on fire.

Sand and dirt was blown on to the four-lane A19 near Rostock, close to the Baltic Sea in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state, on Friday. Strong winds, dry weather, and freshly ploughed fields were thought to have caused the incident.

Map showing were the accident occurred
Photo: BBC

One motorist, named only as Steffen, told reporters that "all of a sudden, there was a black wall of sand and then I couldn't see anything any more and I was pushed into another car."

He added "I have never seen anything like it before and it's difficult to describe. I think I will only later realise what happened. I think this is my second birthday today."

Via BBC/CBS News