USA – Tennessee Plant Explosion: Sixteen Presumed Dead
Casualties and Official Statements
Sixteen workers who went missing after a massive explosion at a Tennessee explosives facility on Friday are now presumed dead, according to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis. Authorities had initially feared 18 fatalities but later confirmed that two people thought to be at the site were not present and have been found safe.
By Saturday morning, the effort formally moved from rescue to recovery. Sheriff Davis, visibly emotional, said that based on the scene, it is “safe to assume” those unaccounted for did not survive.
Site and Cause of the Blast
The explosion occurred at a plant in Bucksnort, about 56 miles (90 km) southwest of Nashville. The facility is operated by Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), which develops and manufactures explosives. Operations have been suspended.
The cause of the blast remains unknown. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is assisting with the investigation, and the FBI is conducting rapid DNA testing to help identify victims. The same location saw a previous deadly explosion in 2014.
Damage and Emergency Response
Footage from the scene showed fires still burning, scorched vehicles and widespread destruction. Officials reported debris scattered across roughly half a mile from where the building once stood. More than 300 state and local emergency responders have been involved in search and recovery efforts since Friday morning.
Sheriff Jason Craft of Hickman County said authorities are focusing on providing support to families awaiting identification updates.
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