McEWEN, Tenn. (AP) — A devastating explosion at an explosives plant in rural Tennessee has resulted in multiple fatalities and left the community in shock. The blast, which occurred on Friday, was powerful enough to be felt for miles and has since been confirmed by authorities to have left no survivors. As of Saturday, the total number of deceased remains uncertain, and the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
During a news conference, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis expressed the overwhelming emotions surrounding the incident. “There’s a gauntlet of emotions there,” he stated, visibly shaken as he extended condolences and called for prayers for the families affected. “We’ve recovered no survivors,” he added, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
In response to the tragedy, state officials deployed a "rapid DNA" team to aid in identifying the remains of victims recovered from the wreckage of the Accurate Energetic Systems plant. The site, which specializes in providing and researching explosives for military applications, is now a smoldering mass of twisted metal and burnt-out vehicles.
Approximately 300 first responders are currently on-site, working in a “slow, methodical method” to manage the hazardous materials that remain volatile. Sheriff Davis highlighted the unique challenges posed by the situation, stating, “It’s not like working an accident. It’s not like working a tornado. We’re dealing with explosions. And I would say at this time, we’re dealing with remains.”
To ensure the safety of the responders, an ambulance and helicopter for air evacuations have been provided. Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, noted the critical role of explosive specialists and bomb technicians who are assessing the scene before national ATF investigators arrive.
The explosion has deeply affected the local community, which is characterized by modest homes nestled in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee. Terry Bagsby, a local resident and retired worker, described the overwhelming sorrow felt by those who know individuals associated with the plant. “I don’t know how to explain it. … Just a lot of grief,” he said.
The Accurate Energetic Systems facility, located about 60 miles southwest of Nashville, consists of eight buildings dedicated to the processing of explosives and ammunition. The company has a significant history of military contracts with the U.S. Army and Navy, providing various types of munitions and explosives, including bulk explosives and landmines.
Residents living as far as 20 minutes away in Lobelville reported feeling their homes shake during the explosion. Gentry Stover, a nearby resident, recounted his experience: “I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,” he shared with The Associated Press, realizing shortly after waking up that the source of the shaking was the explosion.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has been closely monitoring the situation and urged residents to join in prayer for the families affected by this tragic incident. A vigil was held Friday night in a nearby park, where community members gathered to pray for the missing and sing “Amazing Grace.”
This tragic event adds to the long history of industrial accidents in the U.S., reminiscent of the Monongah coal mine explosion in 1907 that claimed 362 lives. Notably, in 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems faced several fines from the U.S. Department of Labor for violations related to worker safety standards. Furthermore, in 2014, a separate explosion at another ammunition facility in the same community resulted in one death and multiple injuries.
As investigations continue, the community and families affected by the explosion remain in mourning, grappling with the loss and uncertainty that this tragedy has brought.
