A devastating explosion at a US military explosives plant in Hickman County, Tennessee, has left multiple people dead or missing, officials confirmed on Friday. The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, a facility known for manufacturing high explosive compositions for the US Department of Defense and industrial markets.
Aerial footage from US media revealed smoldering debris, charred vehicles, and mangled metal scattered across the site in the Bucksnort area, as emergency responders rushed to contain the situation.
The Hickman County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the explosion in a statement on Facebook, urging the public to avoid the area.
“Emergency services are currently on the scene working to address the situation,” the office stated.
While the mayor’s office could not immediately confirm the number of casualties or the cause of the explosion, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the incident as a “very devastating blast”, confirming some fatalities and noting that several workers remain unaccounted for.
“We do have some that are deceased. We are being mindful of families as we continue to identify victims,” Davis said.
Authorities have since secured the site but warned of possible secondary explosions due to the volatile materials stored within the facility.
Founded in 1980, Accurate Energetic Systems has yet to release an official statement regarding the tragic incident.
