McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) - A devastating explosion occurred on Friday at an explosives plant in rural Tennessee, completely leveling the facility and leaving a scene of chaos and destruction. At least 18 individuals are reported missing and feared dead following the blast at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company specializing in explosives for military use. Authorities suspect multiple fatalities but have withheld a specific death toll as they continue to communicate with the families of those affected.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the destruction as one of the most severe he has ever witnessed. He spoke of the emotional impact this incident has had on the community, particularly as he knows families connected to the tragedy. Initial reports stated that 19 people were missing, but this number was revised late Friday when one individual believed to be on-site was found safe at home.
The explosion took place around 7:45 a.m. local time, and eyewitness accounts detail the massive impact it had. Aerial footage of the site shows thick smoke billowing from the hilltop plant, with debris scattered over a half-mile radius. Additionally, residents living over 15 miles away reported feeling the shockwave from the explosion, indicative of its power.
Accurate Energetic Systems operates from an expansive eight-building facility nestled in the wooded hills of Bucksnort, Tennessee, situated approximately 60 miles southwest of Nashville. It remains unclear how many employees were present at the plant at the moment of the explosion. Emergency crews initially faced challenges accessing the site due to ongoing detonations, further complicating search and rescue efforts, according to Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart.
By the afternoon, emergency management officials announced the situation was under control, with no further risk of additional explosions. Grey Collier, a spokesperson for the Humphreys County Emergency Management Agency, confirmed that investigators are now working diligently to determine the cause of the blast.
In a statement on social media, Accurate Energetic Systems expressed their heartfelt condolences to the affected families and the community. They also thanked first responders for their relentless work under difficult conditions. Historically, the company has secured numerous military contracts, primarily from the U.S. Army and Navy, for a diverse range of munitions and explosives, including bulk explosives and landmines.
Residents in the nearby town of Lobelville, a short 20-minute drive from the explosion site, reported considerable disturbance, with many describing how their homes shook and some even captured the sound of the blast on their home surveillance cameras. Gentry Stover, a local resident, described the incident as rattling him from sleep, initially believing his house had fallen in around him.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee took to social media to express his concern and to call for prayers for the families affected by the tragedy. State Representative Jody Barrett, from a nearby town, raised concerns regarding the economic implications of the explosion since the plant serves as a key employer in the region.
A small vigil was organized later that evening, where community members gathered, holding candles and praying for the missing individuals and their families. This tragic event adds to the long history of industrial accidents in the U.S., which have at times spurred legislative action aimed at enhancing workplace safety.
Notably, Accurate Energetic Systems faced several fines from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2019 for violations related to hazardous chemical exposure. Additionally, this incident echoes a prior explosion in 2014 at another ammunition facility in the same area, which resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
This report has been updated to clarify the number of missing individuals as 18, revising an earlier figure of 19.
