Explosion at Tennessee Bomb Factory Results in Multiple Fatalities and 19 Missing

Residents 15 Miles from the Plant Felt Their Homes Shake

A large explosion at a bomb manufacturing facility has resulted in several deaths and 19 others missing.

The explosion occurred at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility, amilitary munitions plant in rural Tennessee, about an hour west of Nashville. The blast sent shockwaves throughout Humphreys County, causing emergency crews to hold back due to ongoing smaller explosions, authorities reported today (October 10).

The incident took place around midday at the expansive site, which consists of eight buildings and is involved in the manufacturing and testing of explosives for military purposes.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis stated at a press briefing that the situation is 'extremely serious' as efforts continue to locate the missing workers.

"We currently have several people unaccounted for. We are trying to be considerate of families in this situation,” he said. "We do have some fatalities."

Videos taken from nearby roads showed thick black smoke and flames rising above the wooded hills surrounding the facility. Locals also reported hearing a loud boom that was felt for miles, with homes shaking as if hit by an earthquake.

“I thought the house had collapsed with me inside,” said Gentry Stover, a nearby resident. "I live very close to Accurate and realized about 30 seconds after waking up that it must have been that."

Emergency responders initially faced difficulties entering the site due to ongoing detonations, according to Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart.

Aerial footage revealed the extent of the explosion damage (WTVF/Sky 5)

Even hours afterward, smaller explosions could still be heard echoing in the area, though officials report that the threat of a large-scale explosion has diminished.

Accurate Energetic Systems, based in McEwen, has not yet released a public statement.

The town's Mayor, Brad Rachford, described the incident as 'a tragedy for our community' but chose not to provide further comments.

Nashville's WTVF-TV broadcasted footage showing vehicles destroyed and debris scattered across the factory grounds, with the station reportedly receiving numerous calls from residents throughout the region who felt the explosion and saw smoke rising in the distance.

State Representative Jody Barrett, residing about 15 miles away in Dickson, also shared how he felt his home shake.

Police and Department of Transportation personnel have blocked the road leading to Accurate Energetic Systems in McEwen, Tennessee, after several explosions

"We definitely heard it at home," he informed reporters. "It sounded like something was crashing through our roof."

Meanwhile, Gentry Stover told the Associated Press that he initially thought the house had 'collapsed with me inside of it', adding: "I live very close to Accurate and realized about 30 seconds after waking up that it had to have been that."

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) confirmed there were injuries but has not released any numbers yet, as officials continue to work on-site with the Department of Health to confirm casualties and determine the cause of the fatal explosion.

According to CNN, the Hickman County Sheriff’s Office has advised people to avoid the area, with police setting up roadblocks nearby.

UNILAD has reached out to Accurate Energetic Systems for a comment.