At least 15 people were killed and about a dozen others were taken to hospitals after a crash in Southern California on Tuesday, authorities said.

The crash occurred in Imperial, California, just north of the Mexican border.

A vehicle filled with 27 passengers hit a semitruck full of gravel, Judy Cruz, managing director of the emergency department at El Centro Regional Medical Center, said during a press conference.

At least 14 people were pronounced dead on the scene, according to the hospital.