McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — Officials are conducting an investigation into a catastrophic explosion at an explosives plant in rural Tennessee, as the families of 18 individuals who are missing and feared dead await news. The incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, which supplies explosives for military applications, early Friday morning. The explosion sent debris scattering across at least a half-mile radius and was felt by residents more than 15 miles away, according to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis.
Aerial imagery captured a stark scene of devastation, with twisted metal and remnants of vehicles amidst smoke and smoldering ruins. Sheriff Davis referred to this disaster as one of the worst he has ever encountered and noted that while multiple fatalities are confirmed, he refrained from specifying numbers as families are still being informed.
Davis stressed the importance of community support during this tragic time, stating, “What we need right now is we need our communities to come together and understand that we’ve lost a lot of people.” Accurate Energetic Systems’ facility spans eight buildings in the Bucksnort area, approximately 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The exact number of employees present during the incident remains unknown, and investigators are working diligently to understand the cause of the blast.
Those living in nearby towns reported feeling the ground shake and captured the blast on their home security devices. One resident described the experience, saying, “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it.” Support has poured in from across the state, including a call to prayer from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who expressed his sorrow for the impacted families.
A vigil was held to honor the missing individuals, with attendees lighting candles and singing “Amazing Grace” in solidarity. The company, which has previously faced safety violations, has stated their thoughts and prayers are with all affected individuals. The investigation continues as the community grieves and looks for answers.
