Five people were confirmed dead and several others injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Charleston, Missouri, on Thursday morning.

Robert Hearnes, Director of Public Safety in Charleston, told WSIL TV that more than 60 vehicles were involved in the crash. He confirmed that several people were injured in the accident, however, did not give any official numbers.

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Interstate 57 remained closed in both directions as of 3 pm on Thursday and was expected to be closed for several hours.

“Do not come to Charleston for any reason until the incident is cleared. Traffic is backing up and causing unnecessary hazards. Interstate 57 is shut down from the state line to the 55 exchange traffic is being diverted off of 60 to State Highway B as well as 62 and 105. If you are needing to go around you will have to take B hwy to 80 and 77 up to E US hwy 60. All road leading into are being shut down due to traffic and emergency vehicles!” Mississippi County Sheriff’s Department said in na Facebook post.

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Meanwhile, Zach Bolden, director of the Mississippi County EMS, told ABC that it was foggy when they responded to the scene and he believes that “someone hit the brakes and a chain reaction followed.”

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Confirming multiple injuries, Bolden told the outlet that while several people were rushed to local hospitals and many were treated on scene.

“This is a major incident with multiple crashes involving several tractor-trailers and fatalities. Both directions are closed and there is a large-scale cleanup underway as well as continuing major-crash fatality scene investigation by Missouri State Highway Patrol,” the Missouri Department of Public Safety wrote on Facebook. 

This is a developing story