A devastating explosion ripped through Accurate Energetic Systems, a bomb manufacturing facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, on Saturday, October 11, leaving all 18 workers who were inside presumed dead, officials confirmed.
According to Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, emergency crews have searched nearly every inch of the site, but no survivors have been found. “We have recovered no survivors,” he stated, calling the incident “a tremendous loss” for the local community.
The explosion occurred during regular working hours at the plant, which manufactures military-grade explosives. The blast was so powerful that it destroyed much of the facility, making recovery efforts extremely difficult.
Authorities are now conducting DNA testing to identify the remains of the victims. Over 300 emergency personnel have been deployed to the scene since the explosion, working round the clock amid hazardous conditions.
Sheriff Davis described the tragedy as “one of the darkest days” for the region, saying, “Hope’s always in my heart. But I don’t want to give false hope either … at this time, we’re dealing with remains.”
Investigators are yet to determine the exact cause of the blast, but initial reports suggest it originated in an area storing explosive materials. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and local authorities are leading the ongoing investigation into what led to the deadly incident.
