Eighteen people are missing following a blast at a military explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee on Friday. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that one person, initially thought to be at the site, has since been located at home. Several others were treated for minor injuries at nearby hospitals.
The explosion occurred at the Accurate Energetics Systems plant in Bucksnort, just under 90 kilometers southwest of Nashville, and was powerful enough to level the facility. Sheriff Davis emphasized the destruction, stating, There's nothing to describe, it's gone. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
Aerial footage captured the aftermath, revealing charred debris and limited structure left standing. Sheriff Davis conveyed his grief during a media briefing, noting a total of 19 people were unaccounted for and echoing the peril of the situation, stating, A lot of times, when I have these types of situations, I refer to them more than just a person...we're missing 19 souls.
The explosion's force flung debris across a half-square mile and was felt as far away as Waverly, a town approximately 25 kilometers from the site. While the sheriff did not confirm fatalities, he indicated the grave nature of the event.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee referred to the incident as a tragic event and assured that both state and federal agencies are collaborating on the response. Accurate Energetics has ceased operations as the investigation continues, supervised by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
In response to the disaster, multiple teams have been deployed to assess the incident carefully and methodically, with officers expected to remain at the site for several days. The investigation continues into whether the explosion was accidental or intentional, with officials advocating for a thorough inquiry.
