Community members gather for a vigil honoring victims of the explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Centerville, Tennessee, October 10, 2025.
Obed Lamy/AP
MC EWEN, Tennessee – A devastating explosion at a rural explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee has claimed the lives of 16 individuals, with no survivors reported, officials confirmed.
The blast obliterated the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, a site dedicated to the development and supply of military-grade explosives, leaving behind a scene of twisted metal, scorched vehicles, and smoldering debris.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Investigators are meticulously examining the charred remains of the property, searching for clues that might explain the tragedy.
“This situation brings a flood of emotions,” said Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis during a press briefing. His voice faltered as he requested prayers for the families affected by the disaster.
“Unfortunately, we have found no survivors,” he added solemnly.
At a prayer gathering held at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, Senior Pastor Tim Farris reflected on the close-knit nature of the community, noting that many attendees personally knew the victims and their loved ones.
“There is profound sorrow here. Many are shedding tears,” Farris shared. “While this is a heartbreaking time for our town, it also presents a vital opportunity for the church to support those in mourning.”
Farris recounted conversations with families on Friday, describing their initial shock and numbness, which gave way to deep emotional responses by Saturday.
“Today, I spoke with some families who were overwhelmed with grief, barely able to speak,” he said. “As the reality of this tragedy sinks in, the community will need ongoing support more than ever.”
A firefighter connects a hose to a hydrant to fill a tanker truck following the deadly explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Bucksnort, Tennessee, October 10, 2025.
John Amis/AP
Among those who gathered to offer prayers was Pamela Jane Brown, who came to support friends and neighbors affected by the blast. She recounted how a family acquaintance was passing by the plant at the time of the explosion and sustained serious injuries but is now recovering at home.
“Hearing about the explosion on social media broke my heart,” Brown said. “Coming together with others to pray brought a sense of unity and comfort to our community.”
State authorities have deployed a rapid DNA identification team to assist in confirming the identities of those recovered from the site.
Sheriff Davis explained that approximately 300 emergency personnel are engaged in a careful and deliberate recovery operation, complicated by the presence of unstable explosive materials. Ambulances and air evacuation helicopters have been stationed nearby to ensure responder safety.
“This is not a typical accident or natural disaster response,” Davis emphasized. “We are handling the aftermath of a massive explosion, and at this point, we are focused on recovering remains.”
Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), noted that bomb technicians and explosives experts are working to secure the area for federal investigators. He cautioned that the conditions at the site remain volatile due to residual heat and pressure from the blast.
Davis acknowledged that it may take days, weeks, or even months before investigators can definitively rule out foul play.
The facility is situated in a densely forested region of central Tennessee, nestled between the economically significant Tennessee River to the west and the vibrant city of Nashville to the east. The surrounding area is dotted with modest homes inhabited by what local resident Terry Bagsby described as “hardworking country folks.”
Community in Mourning
Bagsby, 68, who is retired but occasionally works at a nearby gas station, expressed the deep sorrow felt throughout the community.
“People here are heartbroken,” he said. “I know several who were employed at the plant. It’s hard to put into words-there’s just a lot of grief.”
Smoke rises over debris and damaged vehicles after a powerful explosion at a military explosives plant in Hickman County, Tennessee, October 10, 2025.
WTVF-TV/AP
Officials announced that counseling services will be made available to students affected by the tragedy starting Monday.
On Saturday afternoon, about 30 community members gathered at the McEwen church to pray for those lost and their families. The atmosphere was solemn, with soft music playing as attendees bowed their heads, some kneeling and offering comfort through gentle touches and whispered prayers.
Pastor Farris reminded the media that the region has endured previous hardships, including a fatal flood in recent years, and urged continued prayers for the first responders.
“This work is physically exhausting and mentally draining,” he said. “Our responders carry the weight of this tragedy home with them. They need our prayers and encouragement as much as anyone.”
Accurate Energetic Systems operates an eight-building complex nestled among wooded hills in the Bucksnort area, roughly 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The company’s website highlights its role in processing explosives and ammunition, though the exact number of employees present during the explosion remains unclear.
In a social media statement, the company expressed condolences to the families and community affected, extending gratitude to first responders working under challenging conditions.
Explosion Shakes Nearby Communities
Public records show that Accurate Energetic Systems holds multiple military contracts, primarily with the U.S. Army and Navy, supplying a range of munitions including bulk explosives, landmines, and small breaching charges such as C4.
Residents in nearby Lobelville, about a 20-minute drive from the plant, reported feeling the shockwave from the blast shake their homes. Several captured the loud explosion on home security cameras.
Gentry Stover, a local resident, was jolted awake by the blast.
“I thought my house was collapsing on me,” he told reporters. “Living so close to Accurate, I realized within seconds that’s where it came from.”
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee took to the social platform X to express his concern, urging Tennesseans to keep the affected families in their thoughts and prayers.
That evening, a small group gathered at a nearby park holding candles, singing “Amazing Grace” as they prayed for those missing and their loved ones.
The United States has a long history of industrial tragedies, including the 1907 Monongah coal mine disaster in West Virginia, which claimed 362 lives. Such incidents have spurred significant safety reforms, including the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1971 under President Richard Nixon.
In 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems was cited by OSHA for several minor violations related to worker safety concerning hazardous chemicals and radiation exposure.
Notably, the community experienced a similar tragedy in 2014 when an explosion at another ammunition plant resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries.
