WASHINGTON: Eighteen people are presumed dead after a massive explosion ripped through a US explosives factory in Tennessee, officials said on Saturday, as emergency crews continued to search the smouldering wreckage for remains and clues to what caused the blast.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said 18 people had been missing since the explosion on Friday at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) plant in the town of Bucksnort, about 100 kilometres southwest of Nashville.
“We can assume that they are deceased at this time,” Davis told reporters. “DNA testing will be used to identify remains, but we’re going to have to slow walk that because of the condition of the scene.”
The factory, which produces explosives for both military and industrial demolition purposes, was completely destroyed in the blast.
The explosion levelled an entire building, sent debris flying across a wide area, and shook homes several miles away, officials, cited by AFP, said.
Devastating Scene
Davis described the aftermath as “the most devastating scene I’ve seen in my career.”
“There’s nothing to describe — it’s gone,” he said when asked about the state of the building.
Aerial footage broadcast by US media showed the plant reduced to rubble, with charred vehicles and twisted metal scattered across the site.
The blast’s shockwave was felt across a large distance, and debris was found across nearly half a square mile.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Authorities said staff from several federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have been deployed to assist with the probe.
“Can I say we’re going to rule out foul play? We can’t answer that,” Davis said. “That might be days or weeks or months before we can do that.”
Company and Government Response
In a statement, Accurate Energetic Systems called the blast “a tragic accident” and said it was cooperating fully with authorities.
The company’s website says it manufactures high explosive compositions and specialty products for the US Department of Defence and industrial clients.
According to Pentagon records, AES was awarded a nearly $120 million contract last month for the procurement of TNT.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said state agencies were working with local and federal authorities at the site.
“We ask Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident,” Lee said on X, formerly Twitter.
Families Await Answers
Officials acknowledged that the hours since the explosion had been agonising for families of the missing.
“I’m sure there’s people that are angry, I’m sure there’s people that are very sad, very upset, and I can understand that,” Davis said. “It’s hell on us. It’s hell on everybody involved.”
Meanwhile, authorities warned of possible secondary explosions at the site and urged the public to stay away from the area.
The blast marks one of the deadliest industrial accidents in recent US history.
