’19 souls’ missing in Tennessee explosion, sheriff says
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis fought back tears as he updated reporters on the explosion at an explosives manufacturing plant in Tennessee.
The cause of a deadly explosion at a Tennessee explosives factory remained under investigation on Oct. 11 as the community waited for news about 18 people still missing at the scene.
The explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County, Tennessee, about 90 miles west of Nashville, could be heard for miles on the morning of October 10th. The facility processes high-grade explosives for demolition, military and other uses, according to its website.
Officials said 18 people were missing in the explosion. An unspecified number of people died. Early on October 10, authorities announced that 19 people were missing, but later announced that one person believed to be among the missing had been found in his home. Authorities said they will work through the weekend to rebuild and investigate the explosion.
Hickman County Sheriff Jason Craft said, “As you know, today we experienced a tragic incident that greatly impacted our community, Humphreys County, and surrounding communities. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.”
“The investigation is currently in an active stage and the scene remains a very dynamic situation,” Craft said.
What happened in the Tennessee explosion?
The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. on October 10, authorities said. The explosion echoed for miles, was captured by home security cameras more than 20 miles away, and residents reported the ground shaking.
The cause of the explosion, which engulfed the entire building, was not immediately clear and authorities said they were investigating.
“I don’t think there’s an easy explanation for that,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said.
The hospital told the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, that at least several people who suffered minor injuries from being near the explosion were treated at Ascension St. Thomas Three Rivers Hospital in Waverly, about 25 miles from the facility.
Asked to describe the building where the explosion occurred, Davis told reporters: “There’s nothing to explain. It’s gone.”
The public was asked to stay away from the area as first responders took control of the scene. Officials also asked the public “not to post about missing personnel or situations of any kind.”
Accurate Energetic Systems said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, colleagues, and community members affected by this incident. We would like to thank all the first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult circumstances.”
Explosives facilities have a history of safety violations
A Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development report obtained by the Nashville Tennessean said there were safety issues and violations at the explosives facility.
There was also an explosion at the facility in 2014, killing one person and injuring two others. The families of the deceased employees have settled a lawsuit alleging that workplace safety standards at the time of the explosion were below those required by law, The Tennessean reported.
Multiple employees experienced seizures in 2019, and inspectors determined they may have been exposed to toxic chemicals through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption through the skin.
The inspection identified five “serious” violations, but within a few years they were canceled or removed from records, and the matter ended in a settlement between Accurate Energetic Systems and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, The Tennessean reported.
Contributor: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY. Kirsten Ficus, Vivian Jones, Craig Shoup, Angel Latham, Liz Schubauer, Austin Hornbostel, Hadley Hittson, Keith Sharon, Evan Meelins, Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean; Reuters
