Sixteen dead after blast at US explosives factory

BUCKSNORT, Tennessee – Investigators now believe a

massive blast at a Tennessee military explosives facility

killed 16 people, officials said on Oct 11.

Officials had previously said 18 people were unaccounted for in the explosion on Oct 10, but two people whose vehicles and personal items were found at the scene were not actually there at the time of the blast, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said at a press conference.

The explosion, which was felt for miles, levelled a building at the five sq km headquarters of Accurate Energetic Systems in Bucksnort, about an hour’s drive west of Nashville.

Officials have notified the families of all 16 people killed, the sheriff said.

“We’ll call them victims, our loved ones,” a tearful Mr Davis said.

Earlier on Oct 11, Mr Davis confirmed the operation had shifted from rescue to recovery and that investigators would use DNA testing to confirm the identities of those who died.

Investigators, including agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, were still working to determine the cause of the explosion, officials said. The presence of explosives and other ordnance at the property has made searching the scene complicated.

In a statement on Oct 10, the company thanked first responders but did not indicate a possible cause.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, co-workers and community members affected by this incident,” the company said.

Accurate Energetic Systems develops, manufactures and stores explosives for military, aerospace and commercial demolition markets, according to its website. The headquarters includes eight production buildings and a quality laboratory.

A small ammunition explosion at the plant in 2014 killed one person and injured three, according to local news reports. REUTERS