A massive explosion at an explosives plant in rural Tennessee on Friday has left the community shocked, with authorities confirming on Saturday that no survivors have been found. The total number of casualties remains uncertain, and the cause of the blast is still under investigation. A total of 16 people were missing following the devastating incident, the Associated Press reported citing officials.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, visibly emotional during a press briefing, asked for prayers for the victims’ families. “There’s a gauntlet of emotions here,” he said, pausing as he struggled to continue. “We’ve recovered no survivors.”
At a vigil held at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, senior pastor Tim Farris acknowledged the deep impact on the local community. “Many here know each other and the families affected. There’s a lot of pain and tears today,” he said. “While we grieve, it’s also a chance for the church to minister and support those who are hurting.”
Authorities have deployed a “rapid DNA” team to help identify the remains found at the site. The explosion left behind a scene of twisted metal and burned-out vehicles at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, a facility that supplies and researches explosives for military use.
Nearly 300 emergency responders are working carefully through the wreckage, navigating volatile explosive materials. “It’s not like responding to an accident or a tornado. We are dealing with explosions, and at this stage, we are dealing with remains,” Davis explained. An ambulance and a helicopter have been stationed nearby to ensure first responder safety.
Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said that bomb technicians are working to secure the area before national investigators arrive. He added that conditions at the site can shift due to the heat and pressure of the blast. Sheriff Davis noted it could take days, weeks, or even months before foul play can be ruled out.
The plant is located in a wooded region of middle Tennessee, roughly 60 miles southwest of Nashville, surrounded by modest homes and close-knit communities. Local resident Terry Bagsby described the area as home to “good old country people” and said the tragedy has left the town deeply saddened.
Earlier on Saturday, about 30 people gathered at the McEwen church for a prayer service, kneeling, holding hands, and mourning the victims as music played softly in the background.
Accurate Energetic Systems, based in McEwen, acknowledged the tragedy in a social media post, offering thoughts and prayers to the families and expressing gratitude to first responders. The facility, which spans eight buildings across wooded hills, processes explosives and ammunition, but the exact number of workers present at the time of the blast is unknown.
The company has previously faced small fines from the US Department of Labor for violations of safety regulations intended to protect workers from hazardous chemicals and other risks.
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With inputs from Associated Press