Eighteen people are missing after a blast at a military explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee on Friday.


Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis reported that one person initially believed to be on site had since been located at home, while several others were hospitalized following the massive explosion that obliterated the factory.


There's nothing to describe, it's gone, he stated regarding the devastation at the plant in Bucksnort, located approximately 56 miles (90km) southwest of Nashville. The facility specializes in developing and handling military-grade explosives.


Aerial footage revealed extensive damage, including charred debris and smoldering vehicles, with little left of the structure owned by Accurate Energetic Systems.


Sheriff Davis expressed his emotional distress during a media briefing, noting that the plant was operational at the time of the explosion, with workers just beginning their day and now possibly missing or deceased.


Authorities confirmed that 19 people remain unaccounted for. The explosion took place in a large building, sending debris flying over a half square mile, and was felt in nearby towns, including Waverly.


Governor Bill Lee described the incident as tragic and stated that local and state officials were collaborating with federal agencies in response to the event.


Emergency services are still assessing the situation, with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives securing the site for further investigation. The sheriff emphasized the need for a careful examination of the facts surrounding the explosion, which remains under investigation.


The factory operated on about 1,300 acres and produced explosives like C-4 and TNT. Following the incident, operations at Accurate Energetic Systems have ceased.


This incident reminds the public of the inherent dangers associated with explosives manufacturing, as statistics indicate that such explosions occur globally with alarming frequency, often linked to regulatory lapses.