An explosion at a munitions factory near Bucksnort, Tennessee, left 19 people missing and feared dead on Friday morning.
The blast destroyed one building at the Accurate Energetic Systems site, located 60 miles west of Nashville.
Sheriff Chris Davis called it the most devastating incident of his career. He confirmed the search for 19 individuals and described the victims as “souls,” not just names. Officials have not confirmed fatalities but suspect some of the missing may be injured.
The explosion occurred around 8 a.m. CDT and triggered secondary blasts. Debris landed miles away, including in a garden four miles from the site. Rescue efforts were delayed due to ongoing fires and unstable conditions.
Authorities urged the public to avoid the area. The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation. Firefighting teams used dry powder agents instead of water due to large amounts of TNT stored on-site.
Accurate Energetic Systems manufactures explosives for military, aerospace, demolition, and mining. It also produces charges for avalanche control. The company holds $140 million in contracts with the US government and serves the departments of defense and homeland security.
Founded in 1980, the company is certified as a women-owned small business. It has not issued a public statement since the incident.
The explosion raised concerns about safety protocols and emergency preparedness at high-risk industrial sites. Federal agencies continue to assess the damage and search for survivors.
