A massive explosion tore through a munitions facility in Tennessee early Friday, obliterating one of its buildings and leaving at least 19 people missing — many feared dead.
The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, located near Bucksnort on a 1,300-acre site used to process explosives for military and commercial use. First responders described the scene as total devastation — “nothing to describe” — and reported multiple confirmed fatalities, though the full toll remains uncertain.
Investigators from federal agencies including the ATF and FBI have descended on the site as the search for survivors continues. Utility and emergency operations across Tennessee have been mobilized to support the effort.
Residents in nearby towns reported feeling earthshaking tremors; debris was scattered widely across the facility’s surroundings. The company has halted operations and opened a family assistance center for those affected.
This is not the first time tragedy struck the facility: in 2014, a prior explosion claimed one life and injured others. While the plant has otherwise had no major safety incidents, it was inspected in 2019 and received citations for “serious” violations related to hazardous exposures.
At present, officials are piecing together what caused the detonation. No immediate safety threat to the public is expected, officials say, but the region remains on alert as they work to contain risks and support victims.