Authorities said on Saturday that they found “no survivors” during a search of the site of a massive blast at a Tennessee explosives plant. At least 18 people were unaccounted for after the explosion on Friday.
The explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County — around 60 miles southwest of Nashville — was reported just before 8:00 a.m. on Friday, with officials initially saying that “several” people were dead.
“I can tell you that more than 300 people have been through almost every square inch of this facility, and at this time we’ve recovered no survivors,” said Humphreys County, Tennessee, Sheriff Chris Davis.
The sheriff added that authorities are still in the process of identifying the remains, but did not say exactly how many people were killed in the explosion. The investigation into the cause of the blast remains ongoing, and Sheriff Davis said that it could be weeks before they can say whether there was any foul play. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Homeland Security were on the scene.
Accurate Energetic Systems, which was established in 1980, says it specializes “in the creation of high-grade explosives for demolition, ensuring rigorous quality and safety standards.” The company makes explosives for “defense and commercial markets.” In 2014, there was an explosion at one of the company’s facilities in McEwen, Tennessee, that killed one person and injured three others.
The sheriff’s department from neighboring Humphreys County is also assisting in the response. In a press conference on Friday morning, Sheriff Davis called the scene “very violent,” adding that the explosion “encompassed one whole building.”
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Aerial footage from the scene showed a wide blast area, with rubble and burning vehicles.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS: Helicopter video shows what’s left of Accurate Energetic Systems in Hickman County, Tennessee that experienced an explosion Friday morning. At least 19 people are unaccounted for. (Video: WTVF Nashville) https://t.co/xEHAeTFXLB pic.twitter.com/OxhaLceMZO
— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) October 10, 2025
The sheriff said that authorities had secured the scene to ensure there is no risk of more large explosions. Officials are waiting to notify family members of those dead or missing before they provide any more information on the victims.
The explosion rattled homes miles away. Davis said that it could take a week to get through all of the wreckage, as smaller blasts could continue in the area of the explosion hampering the cleanup and investigation. Davis added that it was “one of the most devastating situations I’ve been on in my career.”
The Metro Nashville Police Department said that it was sending a bomb squad to assist authorities at the scene at the request of the FBI.
State Rep. Jody Barrett, who represents parts of Hickman County, said that the plant is “a big part of our economy.”
Matt Van Epps, who won the special Republican primary for the 7th U.S. House district in Tennessee earlier this week, wrote on X that he was “praying for all those impacted by this morning’s explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in the Bucksnort Area of Hickman County.”
“We are grateful for the swift response of local officials, [Tennessee Emergency Management Agency], and all those working to ensure the safety of the community,” Van Epps added.
