Cliff Notes
- An explosion at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Tennessee has resulted in multiple fatalities and several people reported missing.
- Secondary explosions have hindered rescue efforts, while local sheriffs confirm ongoing concerns for unaccounted individuals.
- Residents in nearby Lobelville reported feeling their homes shake and noted the loud boom of the blast, which occurred around 7.45am on Friday.
Tennessee: Multiple people killed and others missing after explosion at military munitions plant | US News
Multiple people have been killed and others are missing after an explosion at a Tennessee military munitions plant.
Secondary explosions have forced rescuers back from the burning site at Accurate Energetic Systems, according to the Hickman County Sheriff’s Office.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told a news conference: “We do have several people at this time unaccounted for.
“We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation. We do have some folks. We can confirm that we do have some that are deceased.”
The cause of the blast, which occurred at 7.45am on Friday (1.45pm in the UK), was not immediately known.
Video from the scene showed flames and smoke billowing from a field of debris.
Emergency crews were initially unable to enter the Tennessee plant because of continuing explosions, Hickman County Advanced MT David Stewart said.
Explosion was heard 20 miles away
Residents in Lobelville, a 20-minute drive from the scene, told the Associated Press that they felt their homes shake and some people captured the loud boom of the explosion on their home cameras.
Gentry Stover, who was woken from his sleep by the blast, said: “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it.
“I live very close to Accurate and I realised about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.”
According to its website, Accurate Energetic Systems manufactures products for the defence, aerospace, demolition, and oil and gas industries
It adds that the company makes and tests explosives at an eight-building facility that sprawls across wooded hills near Bucksnort, a town about 60 miles southwest of Nashville.