Massive Explosion at Tennessee Munitions Factory: 19 Missing, Investigations Underway

A powerful explosion rocked the Accurate Energetic Systems munitions factory in Hickman County, Tennessee, on Friday morning, leaving 19 people missing and four others critically injured, local authorities reported.

The blast occurred at 7:48 a.m. local time, destroying a building within the facility and generating a massive smoke cloud that was detected on radar systems. The explosion was so powerful that it was felt tens of miles away, sparking widespread panic in surrounding areas.

Hickman County Sheriff, Chris Davis, stated that 19 workers were inside the building when the explosion occurred and are still unaccounted for. Rescue operations have been delayed due to heavy smoke and the risk of secondary explosions.

The FBI and ATF have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the cause of the blast, with speculation about potential security failures or technical malfunctions.

The incident recalls a previous accident at the same plant in 2014, which resulted in one fatality and three injuries. The plant is a major supplier of explosives to the US defense industry.

Air pollution levels temporarily spiked, prompting evacuations and road closures in the area. A vigil was held in Centerville, where residents expressed their grief and anger towards the dangers of hazardous industries in their area.

President Joe Biden described the incident as “devastating” and announced federal support for the victims and their families, emphasizing the need to review safety standards in hazardous industries to prevent similar disasters.