Forensic experts examine burnt cars on the motorway A 19 near eastern German village of Kavelstorf, near Rostock, April 8 , 2011. [Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

A highway pileup near the German port city of Rostock killed at least 10 people and injured 97 others on Friday, said local police.

Some 40 cars and three trucks were involved in the pileup on the highway A19, south of the city, the police said.

The crash caused about 20 vehicles to catch fire, including a truck carrying flammable material, the police added.

A sandstorm was blamed for the pileup, as it reduced visibility on the highway to less than 100 meters, the police said.