First responders continued their search on Friday for missing individuals after an explosion occurred at an explosives manufacturing plant in rural Tennessee. The blast sent smoke into the air and was felt miles away, shaking nearby homes.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis reported that 19 people remained unaccounted for and were presumed dead as of Friday afternoon. “This has probably been one of the most devastating situations that I’ve been on in my career,” Davis said.
Authorities stated that rescue teams were initially delayed due to burning debris and the potential risk of secondary explosions at the site, which is located southwest of Nashville. The area has since been secured, eliminating further risk. Kristin Coulter, a spokesperson for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, said there are casualties and injuries but did not provide numbers, citing a lack of confirmation from the Department of Health. It is not yet clear how many people were inside the building when the explosion happened.
Residents in Lobelville, about 20 minutes away by car, felt the force of the explosion. Gentry Stover told The Associated Press by phone, “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it. I live very close to Accurate and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.”
Sheriff Davis noted that investigators would need several days to determine what caused the blast just before 8 a.m., cautioning against expecting quick answers.
Public records indicate that Accurate Energetic Systems, which operates the facility, has sold various types of weapons to the U.S. military and received contracts primarily from the Army and Navy for products including bulk explosives, landmines, and breaching charges used for entry operations.
The plant covers 1,300 acres in Bucksnort, Tennessee—about 60 miles southwest of Nashville—and includes eight buildings used for manufacturing, storing, and researching explosives for clients in industries such as aerospace, oil extraction, commercial demolition, as well as military applications. According to its website, Accurate Energetic Systems also conducts tests on its campus to measure explosion velocity and impact under different environmental conditions.
