9 Campers Killed in Pipeline Explosion

An underground natural gas pipeline exploded, killing nine people who had been camping nearby. Three other campers were in critical condition. The victims, four of them children, were members of at least two southeastern New Mexico families who were camping along the Pecos River about 200 to 300 yards from where the explosion occurred, said state police Capt. John Balderston. He said a woman who survived recalled being awakened by shouts about a fire. “She stands up and discovers she’s on fire and jumps in the river,” Balderston said, “then returns to get her children--and can’t, because it’s so intense.” The pipeline was 8 to 15 feet underground at the rupture point, a gas company spokeswoman said.