19 missing and feared dead after huge explosion destroys Tennessee military plant
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that supports HTML5
video
Up Next
Previous Page
Next Page
A huge explosion at a military plant in Tennessee has left 19 people missing and feared dead.
The blast obliterated a facility operated by Accurate Energetic Systems in Bucksnort, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told reporters it was one of the worst scenes he has ever seen.
‘There’s nothing to describe. It’s gone,’ Davis said of the plant.
He added that several people remain unaccounted for, referring to the 19 missing as ‘souls’ because officials were still speaking to family.
‘We do have several people at this time unaccounted for. We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation,’ Davis said at a news conference.
Several are unaccounted for following the blast in Bucksnort, Tennesee (Picture: Newschannel5)
The facility is owned by Accurate Energetic Systems, which manufactures equipment for military, aerospace and demolition firms (Picture: Accurate Energetic Systems)
Video footage of the incident showed the blast occurred one of the facility’s buildings on a hilltop, incinerating vehicles and sending wreckage flying.
Ongoing smaller detonations had impeded emergency services from entering the plant, authorities confirmed.
Davis said investigators are trying to determine what happened and couldn’t say what caused the explosion.
Brad Rachford, the mayor of McEwen, said the incident was a ‘tragedy’ for the community.
Residents in Lobelville, 20 minutes from the plant, reported hearing a loud boom and their homes shaking.
Gentry Stover, who lives near the facility, said he was woken by the blast.
‘I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it’, he said.
‘I live very close to Accurate and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.’
The huge blast was also felt by residents living a 20-minute drive away, who reported their homes shaking (Picture: Newschannel5)
Republican state representative Jody Barrett said the blast sounded like something breaking through the roof of his home.
He said: ‘We live probably 15 miles as the crow flies and we absolutely heard it at the house.’
The politician added that he was concerned for the economic impact, given that the plant is a large employer in the area.
According to its website, Accurate Energetic Systems manufactures equipment for both military and civilian industries, including aerospace and demolition.
Blast at a Tennessee explosives plant leaves multiple people dead and missing, sheriff says News McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — An explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant left multiple people dead and missing on Friday, authorities said, as secondary blasts forced rescuers to keep their distance from the burning field of debris. Related Articles Fear and vigilance rise as attacks on houses of worship intensify…
Letters: Refinery closures, explosion guarantee a gas crunch News Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Closures, explosionguarantee gas crunch Re: “Large fire erupts at Chevron refinery in Southern California” (Oct. 3). Here comes gas shortages and soaring prices. Seventeen percent of California’s refinery capacity is scheduled to close by mid-2026.…
Letters: Refinery closures, explosion guarantee a gas crunch News Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Closures, explosion guarantee gas crunch Re: “Large fire erupts at Chevron refinery in Southern California” (Oct. 3). Here comes gas shortages and soaring prices. Seventeen percent of California’s refinery capacity is scheduled to close by…
Both parties pack the ballot for US House special primary in Tennessee Uncategorized By JONATHAN MATTISE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Democratic and Republican ballots aren’t short on candidates in Tuesday’s Tennessee primary special election to replace a GOP congressman who stepped aside this summer, including one who landed President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week. Related Articles Abortion providers say Missouri’s attorney general…
Both parties pack the ballot for US House special primary in Tennessee News By JONATHAN MATTISE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Democratic and Republican ballots aren’t short on candidates in Tuesday’s Tennessee primary special election to replace a GOP congressman who stepped aside this summer, including one who landed President Donald Trump’s endorsement last week. Related Articles Abortion providers say Missouri’s attorney general…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
