A massive blast at an explosives facility in Tennessee has killed 19 people or left them missing, with authorities warning residents to stay away from the area. The explosion occurred on Friday morning at Accurate Energetic Systems, a company that manufactures military and demolitions explosives. Three people were treated for minor injuries.
The blast was so powerful it rattled homes miles away, causing charred debris and mangled vehicles across a vast area. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion but say it may take days to determine what happened.
Hickman County Mayor Jim Bates described the scene as “devastating,” while residents who live near the facility said they felt the impact of the explosion. The company has about 80 employees, and its Facebook page says it specializes in making military explosives for the US Department of Defense and industrial markets.
The blast happened around 7:45 a.m. local time, and responders were able to secure the scene by late morning. Authorities are working with multiple agencies, including federal agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, to investigate the cause of the explosion and support the response efforts.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/10/us/hickman-county-explosion-tennessee