A devastating blast occurred at an explosives manufacturing plant near McEwen, Tennessee, on October 10, leaving 19 people missing and several dead. The Hickman County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the victims, who were last seen entering the Melt Pour building during regular working hours.
The explosion was described as a “very devastating blast” that engulfed an entire building, with some employees unaccounted for and others dying. The scene was secured, but officials are still trying to determine the cause of the blast.
Hickman County has experienced other large explosions in recent years, including one in 2014 that killed one person and injured three. The company behind the explosion, Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), had previously committed several safety violations, according to a report from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The company provides explosives to various government agencies and industries, and has over $140 million in contracts with the federal government. AES is under investigation by state and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA).
As the search for the missing victims continues, families are waiting anxiously for news, while local officials urge residents to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to work safely. The incident has also sparked concerns about workplace safety standards and the need for stricter regulations in the industry.
Source: https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2025/10/10/hickman-county-explosion-accurate-energetic-systems/86622105007