No fewer than nineteen people are missing after an explosion at a military explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee on Friday.
According to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, four or five persons were transported to a neighboring hospital following the massive explosion that destroyed a factory, and several died.
“There’s nothing to describe; it’s gone,” the man replied.
The plant in Bucksnort, Tennessee, approximately 56 miles (90 kilometers) southwest of Nashville, specializes in explosive development, manufacturing, handling, and storage. The reason for the explosion remains unknown.
Aerial video from the scene showed burnt rubble, smoldering vehicles, and nothing of the Accurate Energetic Systems-owned factory.
Sheriff Davis, who appeared upset at his first media briefing of the day, declined to specify how many people perished.
He did, however, notice that the plant was operational at the time of the incident. He stated that the individuals had only recently arrived at work and “may now be missing or deceased.”
“A lot of times, when I have these types of situations, I refer to them as more than just a person…we’re missing 19 souls,” Davis said.
Casey Stapp, director of media relations at TriStar Health in nearby Dickson, said two walk-in patients were treated for “minor injuries” from the explosion and released.
Stapp reported that a third walk-in patient is still receiving treatment for minor injuries.
According to local media, victims were also being treated at other nearby hospitals.
The sheriff confirmed that Accurate Energetics Systems has halted operations. It is thought that the company employed approximately 75 individuals.
“They are focusing on their families, their employees,” Davis said.
The explosion occurred near the boundary between Hickman and Humphreys Counties, prompting a large response from local and federal organizations, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Officers are anticipated to remain on the scene for several days, with multiple teams attempting to determine what occurred, Davis said, promising a “slow and methodical” inquiry.
Another blast occurred at the same spot in 2014. at a plant run by Rio Ammunition.
According to reports at the time, the blast killed one guy and injured three others.
