Tennessee Explosion: 19 Missing After Massive Blast at Military Explosives Factory
A devastating explosion at a military explosives manufacturing facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, has left 19 people missing and several others injured, according to local authorities.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed that four to five people were hospitalized following the blast, which completely leveled the factory. “There’s nothing to describe — it’s gone,” Davis said, visibly emotional during his statement. He added that multiple people are presumed dead, though an official death toll has not yet been released.
The explosion occurred early Friday at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company specializing in the development and storage of high-grade military and commercial explosives, including TNT and C-4. The plant, located about 56 miles (90 km) southwest of Nashville, was fully operational at the time.
Massive Explosion Shakes Nearby Towns
Sheriff Davis explained that the blast was so powerful it could be felt 15 miles away in the nearby town of Waverly. The explosion scattered debris across a half-square-mile area, leaving behind charred wreckage, smoldering vehicles, and the remains of what once was a sprawling 1,300-acre facility.
Secondary explosions forced first responders to keep their distance as emergency crews worked to secure the area. “Workers who had just started their day may now be missing or deceased,” Davis said, referring to the victims as “19 souls” still unaccounted for.
Cause Still Under Investigation
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the explosion. Sheriff Davis said investigators were “making the worst assumption in order to find the truth,” leaving open the possibility of both accidental and intentional causes.
The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have joined state and local agencies in the investigation. The scene has been declared stable, but teams are expected to remain on-site for several days as a “slow and methodical” investigation continues.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Local hospitals reported treating multiple victims. TriStar Health’s Casey Stapp confirmed that three walk-in patients were treated for minor injuries, with two released and one remaining under observation. Additional patients were being treated at nearby facilities. Residents living as far as 20 miles away reported feeling the shockwave from the explosion.
Company Halts Operations
Accurate Energetic Systems, which employs around 75 workers, has suspended all operations. Sheriff Davis said the company is focusing on supporting employees and families affected by the tragedy. The plant’s history includes a 2014 explosion when it was operated by Rio Ammunition, which killed one worker and injured three others.
Expert Insight
Explosives safety expert Ken Cross, former president of the Institute of Explosives Engineers, told the BBC that such incidents, though tragic, are rare in well-regulated facilities. “Mixing explosives and filling munitions is a high-hazard, low-probability industry when properly managed,” he said. He noted that most explosions worldwide occur in factories with weak safety standards or poor regulatory oversight.
State and Federal Response
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called the explosion a “tragic incident” and said his office is closely monitoring developments. “Our hearts are with the families affected,” he posted on social media.
As investigators continue their work, the Bucksnort community remains in shock. What was once a quiet manufacturing site has now become the focus of one of Tennessee’s most devastating industrial disasters in years — leaving residents mourning the lives lost and awaiting answers about what went wrong.