BUCKSNORT, Tenn. — A devastating explosion at an explosives manufacturing facility near Nashville has left several people dead and others unaccounted for. The incident occurred on Friday morning at Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County, triggering a swift response from emergency teams.
Hickman County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple fatalities resulting from the blast, which has been described as massive. Initial estimates indicated that at least 19 individuals were missing, prompting immediate search and rescue operations. By the end of the day, one person had been located safe, while several others were hospitalized.
Sheriff Chris Davis provided updates during a press conference, expressing concern for the families of those affected. “We are actively searching for 19 individuals,” he said. “My heart goes out to the families involved during this tragic time.” Authorities are in the process of notifying next of kin, a task complicated by the scale of the incident.
Davis characterized the explosion as unprecedented in his experience. “The devastation is unlike anything I have encountered in my career,” he remarked. “The building is essentially gone; it’s hard to put into words the impact of this tragedy.”
Emergency responders are urging the public to steer clear of the area to allow for effective rescue and recovery efforts. Family members looking for information about loved ones are directed to Head to Gate 3 of the facility.
Established in 1980, Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in the development and manufacture of energetic products for both defense and commercial sectors. The company was recently involved in an expansion project, announced in 2020, which aimed to create approximately 80 jobs at its 1,300-acre site located in the nearby communities of McEwen and Hickman County.
As investigations continue, officials stress the importance of supporting the affected families and ensuring that those missing are located. The community remains on high alert as authorities manage the complex situation, striving to facilitate rescue operations amid the ongoing challenges presented by the explosion.