A powerful explosion tore through a munitions factory in rural Tennessee on Friday, leaving 18 people missing and feared dead and reducing the facility to rubble in what authorities described as one of the most devastating industrial accidents in the state’s history.
The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), a manufacturer of military and commercial explosives located about 60 miles (100 km) west of Nashville in Humphreys County.
Sheriff Chris Davis said during a late-night press briefing that the destruction was “total” and that the scene would take days to process.
“There’s not going to be a short explanation for that,” Davis said. “It’s one of the most devastating situations I’ve been on in my career.” He confirmed that FBI and ATF investigators were on site to determine the cause.
When asked to describe the blast zone, Davis said bluntly, “There’s nothing to describe. It’s gone.”
Aerial footage broadcast by WTVF-TV showed flames and thick smoke rising from piles of debris where the factory once stood. Residents reported feeling the explosion miles away, with some initially mistaking it for an earthquake.
Officials initially said 19 people were unaccounted for, but later confirmed that one person on the list had been found safe at home, leaving 18 still missing.
AES issued a brief statement expressing sympathy for victims and their families. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, coworkers, and community members affected by this incident,” the company said, thanking first responders for their efforts.
The privately held company produces explosives for the military, aerospace, and commercial demolition sectors.
Its 1,300-acre site in Bucksnort includes multiple production buildings and a testing laboratory. AES is one of the largest employers in the area, offering starting wages of about $19 an hour, far above Tennessee’s $7.25 minimum wage.
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates told CNN that the facility had no known history of major safety violations, though a 2014 explosion at the same plant killed one worker and injured three others.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and urged residents to stay clear as recovery efforts continue.
Investigators from federal and state agencies are expected to spend several days combing through the debris to determine what caused the catastrophic blast.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
