A devastating blast at a munitions plant has resulted in multiple fatalities and left 19 individuals missing.
The explosion occurred at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility, a military explosives manufacturer situated in rural Tennessee, approximately an hour’s drive from Nashville. The incident has sent shockwaves across Humphreys County, causing emergency responders to remain cautious as smaller detonations persisted, according to authorities on October 10.
The explosion took place around midday at the expansive site composed of eight buildings, dedicated to the production and testing of military-grade explosives.
Sheriff Chris Davis of Humphreys County provided an update during a press conference, stating that the situation is ‘extremely serious’ as efforts continue to locate the missing employees.
“We do have several people at this time unaccounted for. We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation,” he said. “We do have some that are deceased.”
Footage from nearby roads captured images of dense black smoke and flames rising above the forested hills encircling the facility.
Residents in the vicinity reported experiencing a loud boom that resonated for miles, shaking homes as though an earthquake had occurred.
“I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” said Gentry Stover, a local resident. “I live very close to Accurate and realised about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.”
Attempting to access the site initially proved challenging for emergency teams due to ongoing explosions, as noted by Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart.
Even hours after the initial incident, smaller explosions could be heard in the area, but officials have assured that the threat of a major explosion has decreased.
The company, Accurate Energetic Systems, which is based in McEwen, has yet to release a public statement regarding the incident.
Mayor Brad Rachford of the town referred to the event as ‘a tragedy for our community’ but chose not to provide additional comments.
Nashville’s WTVF-TV broadcasted footage showing wrecked vehicles and debris strewn across the factory property. The station reportedly received numerous calls from residents throughout the region who felt the explosion and observed smoke in the distance.
State Representative Jody Barrett, residing about 15 miles away in Dickson, also recounted the tremor felt in his home.
“We absolutely heard it at the house,” he informed reporters. “It sounded like something going through the roof of our house.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has confirmed the occurrence of injuries but has not yet provided specific numbers, as officials remain at the scene, collaborating with the Department of Health to verify casualties and determine the cause of the fatal explosion.