Authorities: Explosion at New Mexico oil field site kills 1 worker, injures another

An explosion at a New Mexico oil field site has killed one worker and injured another.

Authorities say preliminary information indicates the workers were loading material into perforated pipe being installed into a drilling pipe in southern Lea County when the blast occurred Wednesday.

The sheriff's office says metal debris from the explosion struck the victims.

It's not yet known what caused the blast, and the sheriff's department says an investigation is underway.

There was no fire following the explosion.