TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- At least 18 people were injured, five of them critically, following a series of collisions Thursday on Interstate 10 in Tucson.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the initial accident involved a minivan packed with illegal immigrants that rolled after one of its tires blew out.

The Mexican Consulate in Tucson confirmed the van was traveling with 14 illegal immigrants from Mexico, with at least 11 injured.

DPS Officer Carmen Figueroa said the rollover was followed by collisions involving five other vehicles.

The chain of wrecks on Tucson's southeast side began at about 11:30 a.m. near Houghton Road and closed the westbound lanes of I-10 for more than three hours.

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Information from: Arizona Daily Star, http://www.azstarnet.com

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