Deadly explosion rocks Tennessee munitions plant; multiple casualties reported

A powerful explosion tore through a military explosives manufacturing facility in rural Tennessee, United States, on Friday morning, leaving multiple people dead and several others unaccounted for, authorities confirmed. The blast shook nearby homes and prompted emergency services to respond, according to officials and residents.

The incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems near Bucksnort, roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville, Hickman County Sheriff’s Office reported. Officials urged the public to stay clear of the area to allow emergency teams to operate safely.
David Stewart, a Hickman County Advanced EMT, told The Associated Press that ongoing explosions prevented responders from accessing the site. “We do have several people at this time unaccounted for. We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation,” said Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis. “We do have some that are deceased.”

Aerial and on-the-ground footage showed charred debris, damaged vehicles, and smoke rising from the facility. Nashville’s WTVF-TV reported scattered wreckage across the location, and residents in Lobelville, about a 20-minute drive from the plant, said their homes shook from the blast, with some capturing the explosion on home surveillance cameras.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, and authorities warned that the investigation could take several days. While large blasts have been contained, smaller detonations may still occur, the sheriff cautioned.

Accurate Energetic Systems, headquartered in nearby McEwen, did not respond to requests for comment. McEwen Mayor Brad Rachford described the incident as “a tragedy for our community” and deferred further comment to county officials.