Authorities in Tennessee have confirmed that all 18 people missing after the massive explosion at a bomb factory are now presumed dead, following exhaustive search operations that yielded no survivors. The tragic incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems in Bucksnort, Humphreys County, on Saturday, October 11, according to reports by the New York Post.
“They’ve gone through almost every square inch of this facility. We have recovered no survivors,” said Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis during a press briefing on Saturday morning.
DNA testing is now underway to identify the remains of those who were inside the facility when the blast occurred. Sheriff Davis described the event as “a tremendous loss” and “a tragedy that has devastated entire communities.”
“It’s a great loss for our communities,” he added, noting the emotional toll the disaster has taken on families and first responders.
More than 300 emergency personnel have been deployed to the site since the explosion, which occurred during working hours while all 18 employees were inside the building.
“We can assume they are deceased,” Davis said somberly. “Hope’s always in my heart. But I don’t want to give false hope either … at this time, we’re dealing with remains.”
The cause of the blast is currently under investigation, though officials have described the scene as one of the most devastating industrial disasters in recent Tennessee history.
