A powerful explosion ripped through an ammunition manufacturing facility in Tennessee on Friday morning, leaving at least 19 people dead or missing and several others injured.
The blast occurred at 7:45 a.m. local time at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Humphreys County, around 100 kilometres southwest of Nashville.
Authorities said the explosion was so intense it was felt for several kilometres. Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed fatalities but did not provide an exact number, while noting that multiple employees remain unaccounted for. Local reports indicate that 19 workers were inside the building at the time, which has since been completely destroyed.
Five injured workers were taken to a nearby hospital, with two released shortly after treatment. Emergency crews struggled to approach the site due to continuing small explosions and the risk of further detonations.
The explosion occurred just as the morning shift was changing, meaning there were more people on-site than usual. The factory, which produces and tests explosives for both military and commercial use, is located in a forested area near the small town of Bucksnort.
The cause of the blast remains under investigation, with authorities not yet determining whether any hazardous materials were released. The company, established 45 years ago, has maintained a clean safety record aside from a minor incident in 2014.
Residents in the surrounding area reported hearing a deafening boom that shook homes and shattered windows. One local, Gentry Stover, told CBS News: “I thought my house had collapsed around me.” The area remains sealed off as investigators and fire crews continue to assess the aftermath.
