No survivors among 16 missing after explosion at Tennessee plant
A powerful explosion that ripped through a military explosives facility in Tennessee left no survivors, authorities said.
No one has been found alive in the search for a massive explosion at a military explosives facility in central Tennessee, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Saturday.
“We are moving toward recovery,” an emotional Davis said during a news conference a day after the explosion, his voice breaking at times. “As of this writing, we have not recovered any survivors.”
“As we continue to work through this situation, we are finding it even more devastating than we initially thought,” he added.
Investigators were using DNA to try to identify remains found at the scene.
Early Friday morning, the thunderous explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems resonated through the community, leveling an entire building at the plant.
At the time, at least 19 people were estimated to be missing after the massive blast shook homes for thousands around and scattered debris across at least 1 square mile.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency confirmed the number of missing dropped from 19 to 16 after authorities verified that three people believed to be at the scene were alive and not on the premises at the time of the blast.
The cause of the extent of the explosion is still unknown and the investigation could take days, the sheriff said.
Agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were on scene, Davis said.
The Metro Nashville Police Department's Bomb Squad also reported responding to help process the scene. Davis said he expected crews to remain on scene for several days.
Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in the development, manufacturing, handling, and storage of products and explosives for the military, aerospace, and commercial demolition markets, according to its website. The company also tests these explosives on its 1,300-acre campus.

