Authorities now believe there were no survivors following a powerful explosion Friday at an explosives manufacturing facility in McEwen, Tennessee, a press briefing confirmed Saturday.
The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, around 50 miles west of Nashville, early Friday morning. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said rescue efforts have shifted into recovery, and so far no one has been found alive.
“It’s a great loss to our communities,” Davis said, fighting back tears. He added that remains have been recovered and officials are in the process of identifying those lost.
Before the full scope was clear, authorities had reported 18 people missing in the aftermath of the blast. Four to five injured people were taken to nearby hospitals, though the sheriff did not provide details on their conditions.
When asked to describe what remained of the building, Davis said simply: “There’s nothing to describe. It’s gone.” The investigation is expected to take several days, possibly longer.
Multiple federal agencies are involved, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. No official cause has been released.
Accurate Energetic Systems produces explosives and energetic devices used in military, aerospace, demolition, and mining work. Its clients include the U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security.
Residents around McEwen reported hearing a massive explosion. One home’s Nest camera, roughly 11 miles from the plant, captured the shockwave. Lauren Roark, who lives several miles away, said she was jolted awake and saw debris in her yard.
Kadi Arnold, another nearby resident, said explosions were sometimes heard from the plant, but nothing like this. She described the community as “in shock.”