Multiple individuals have lost their lives, with several others missing following an explosion at a military explosives facility in Tennessee, according to reports from CNN and other news outlets citing local officials on Friday.
The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, located about 50 miles west of Nashville, around 7:45 a.m. local time (12:45 GMT), as stated by Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis during a press briefing.
Davis indicated there were multiple fatalities but emphasized that it’s too early to determine the exact number. He also suggested that there might be survivors among those affected.
When asked to describe the building where the explosion took place, Davis responded, “There’s nothing left to describe. It’s gone.”
Investigators from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on-site working to uncover the cause of the explosion, Davis added.
Aerial footage from CNN displayed what appears to be the remains of a building’s footprint, with debris and ash scattered across the area, including some parked vehicles in a nearby lot.
Attempts to reach the company for comment have been unsuccessful.
According to the company’s website, Accurate Energetic Systems produces, develops, and stores explosives for military, aerospace, and commercial demolition markets.
The company’s headquarters spans 1,300 acres in Bucksnort, Tennessee, and includes eight manufacturing facilities along with a quality control laboratory.
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates told CNN that the plant was generally considered to have a good safety record, although there was a small ammunition explosion there in 2014 that resulted in one death and three injuries, as reported by The Tennessean.
