In brief
In the wake of a horrific explosion at a Tennessee explosives plant, recovery teams have transitioned from searching for survivors to recovering the deceased, with 18 individuals still unaccounted for. The incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems in Bucksnort. Local officials are conducting investigations while providing support to affected families and neighboring communities. Eyewitness accounts describe significant destruction following the blast.
No survivors are expected to be found after a major explosion at a Tennessee munitions factory on Friday that has left 18 people unaccounted for.
Recovery teams are still clinging to hope of finding any of the missing alive, but assume they are deceased, said Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis.
As we get into this, we find it even more devastating than we thought initially, he told a news conference.
It's still unclear what caused the explosion at the plant in Bucksnort, Tennessee - roughly 56 miles (90km) south-west of Nashville. The facility specialises in the development and manufacture of explosives.
Video footage taken on Friday showed fires still burning, charred vehicles, and smoke rising from the razed building. Officials said debris was scattered for half a mile around where the building once stood.
Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), which runs the plant, has suspended its operations.
More than 300 state and local first responders have been searching the site since Friday morning, Sheriff Davis said on Saturday.
The FBI is also at the scene conducting rapid DNA tests to identify victims and notify families, with a focus on taking care of their families, according to Sheriff Jason Craft from neighbouring Hickman County.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is at the scene helping to investigate the incident.
Residents reported hearing the blast, describing it as loud and frightening. Eyewitness accounts reveal that many in the area have been profoundly affected, as they knew workers at the site.
Ann Myers, a local resident, expressed her fears for her family's safety, while Justin Stover detailed the physical impact of the explosion on nearby properties.
The community grapples with the tragedy, as many connections to the factory have created a significant emotional toll on the local residents.
This incident is reminiscent of a previous fatal explosion at a unit in the same location in 2014, fueling concerns about safety in such operations.
