Bucksnort, Tennessee — A catastrophic explosion at a military munitions facility has left 19 people missing and feared dead. The incident occurred early Friday morning at Accurate Energetic Systems, located approximately 60 miles southwest of Nashville, resulting in a powerful blast that echoed across the region.
Residents described the explosion as a seismic event, with homes shaking miles away from the site. Local authorities reported extensive damage to the plant, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Chris Davis, sheriff of Humphreys County, characterized the event as one of the most devastating situations he has encountered during his career. “It’s gone,” he remarked when asked to describe the aftermath.
The explosion triggered a series of secondary blasts, complicating rescue operations. First responders were initially kept at a distance as they assessed the dangers posed by the unstable environment. David Stewart, an advanced EMT in Hickman County, confirmed that first responders eventually accessed the site to search for survivors and gather information regarding the cause of the incident.
Early reports indicated casualties and injuries, although the Tennessee emergency management agency had not yet released official numbers as they awaited confirmations from health authorities. “We can confirm that we do have some that are deceased,” Sheriff Davis stated, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the situation as they continued to reach out to affected families.
Davis highlighted the emotional toll on the community, revealing that several families close to him were directly impacted. He urged residents to report any unfamiliar debris found on their properties to aid in the investigation.
Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in manufacturing and testing explosives and is based in nearby McEwen. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. McEwen’s mayor expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as a significant loss for the community.
Video footage from the scene captured a chaotic landscape of burning debris and thick smoke, with images revealing damaged vehicles scattered throughout the area. People living in Lobelville, over 20 minutes away, reported feeling their homes tremble and some even recorded the explosion on home security cameras.
Witnesses recounted their experiences, including Gentry Stover, who woke up to what felt like a house collapsing. “I thought I was trapped,” he said, realizing shortly after that the source of the noise was the nearby explosion.
In response to the crisis, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee took to social media, assuring residents that state agencies were actively engaged alongside local and federal partners. He urged the public to keep those impacted by the tragedy in their thoughts and prayers as the situation developed.