A woman has died and a man has been injured after Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm on a film set, officials have confirmed.

According to Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened on the set of Rust – a movie that is being filmed in New Mexico.

A spokesman for Baldwin, who is producing and starring in the film, said there was an accident involving the misfire of a prop gun with blanks.

The woman who died has been named as Halyna Hutchins – a 42-year-old director of photography.

She was transported via helicopter to University of New Mexico Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

Joel Souza, the film’s director, was injured and is now being treated in hospital.

Juan Rios, the spokesman for the sheriff’s office, added: “This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”