Snow squall on Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania

Snow squalls in Pennsylvania resulted in a horrific 50-vehicle disaster on Interstate 81, killing at least three people

Agus Supriyadi

DailyFastNews TODAY

Authorities say at least three people were killed in a catastrophic collision involving more than 50 automobiles on a Pennsylvania highway on Monday amid a snowstorm.

Because the scene was still being searched due to burning automobiles, Schuylkill County coroner Dr. David J. Moylan cautioned Monday afternoon that the death toll "may run higher."

According to John Blickley of the county's emergency management office, the fiery incident occurred on Interstate 81 near Minersville, some 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia, at about 10:30 a.m.

An out-of-control tractor-trailer slammed with a huge dump truck, nearly rotating it 180 degrees, according to video posted to social media. Another enormous vehicle blasted black smoke and orange flames into the air, while an SUV collided with a passenger car, spinning the sedan and just missing its driver, who was standing on the snow-covered shoulder of the highway.

An out-of-control tractor-trailer slammed with a huge dump truck, nearly rotating it 180 degrees, according to video posted to social media. Another enormous vehicle blasted black smoke and orange flames into the air, while an SUV collided with a passenger car, spinning the sedan and just missing its driver, who was standing on the snow-covered shoulder of the highway.

An out-of-control tractor-trailer slammed with a huge dump truck, nearly rotating it 180 degrees, according to video posted to social media. Another enormous vehicle blasted black smoke and orange flames into the air, while an SUV collided with a passenger car, spinning the sedan and just missing its driver, who was standing on the snow-covered shoulder of the highway.

According to Blickley, some passengers were stranded in their vehicles. He stated three tractor trailers were on fire, as well as at least two more little fires.

Onlookers can be seen witnessing black smoke and flames coming from what appears to be a tanker truck while video published on social media shows multiple tractor-trailers and other cars slamming into other stopped vehicles. People off camera can be heard yelling in one video as multiple automobiles collide in less than a minute.

Until police are able to conclude their investigation and begin relocating vehicles, Blickley expects portions of the freeway to be closed "far into the morning hours." More snow squalls are forecast this afternoon, according to him.

Snow squalls are expected in central Pennsylvania, according to the National Weather Service office in State College, which cautioned drivers to keep vigilant.

"The squalls will soon restrict visibility to less than a half-mile and coat the roadways with snow," forecasters said, advising drivers to pull over to the side of the road if feasible or switch on their hazard lights "and progressively slow down to avoid a chain reaction vehicular accident."