MCEWEN, TN (Story courtesy of WVLT / WSMV) – Law enforcement confirmed Saturday that the 16 people died in a massive explosion at a Tennessee explosives plant.
“We have contacted all 16 families that we feel was a part of this tragedy,” Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Saturday evening during a press conference.
The tragic update comes a day and a half after a multi-agency recovery effort for those 16 individuals at the Midstate facility. Earlier Saturday, the sheriff said that “no survivors” had been recovered.
The catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) has stunned what local leaders describe as a tight-knit and small community, personally touching emergency responders and even law enforcement.
The emotional toll of the loss was palpable as Davis shared multiple updates in the wake of the blast. The sheriff teared up multiple times Friday and Saturday, explaining that he and other first responders were friends with AES employees and their families.
During a Saturday evening press conference, authorities said counseling will be available at local schools in the wake of the tragedy.
The cause of the devastating explosion has yet to be determined, although Accurate Energetic Systems called it a “tragic accident” in a statement on Friday.
Officials with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said they are dedicated not only to identifying the cause of Friday’s tragedy, but also to preventing it from happening again.
The federal agency’s National Response Team said if they determine the destruction was the result of a criminal enterprise, they will hold those involved accountable. And if they find it to be an accident, they said they will make sure lessons are learned.
The confirmed number of fatalities comes after authorities first said Friday that 19 people were missing. But that number went down to 16 Saturday after the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported that three people “previously believed to be on site were alive and not at the facility at the time of the explosion.”
Federal authorities join a multi-agency response and investigation
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said a total of 18 local, state, and federal agencies are responding to investigate the fatal explosion.
Some of the agencies include the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and the National Response Team (NRT) for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
An ATF spokesperson said the NRT will touch down Saturday afternoon in Hickman County to investigate and identify the cause of the explosion.
“The team’s primary responsibility will be leading the investigation into the origin and cause of the explosion, including analyzing, processing and documenting the scene,” said a Facebook post from the Humphreys County EMA.
Officials said they need to go slower than anticipated. A spokesperson for ATF explained that when explosives are subjected to an explosion or heat, they can change.
That means responders have to work to make the area safe for recovery efforts.
A chopper and ambulance were brought to the scene for precautionary measures in case an unexpected accident impacts first responders, according to the Hickman and Humphreys Counties sheriffs.
Despite their caution on site, officials clarified that there is no risk to anyone outside the facility.
Authorities warn of more blasts at site of deadly Tennessee explosion
Authorities also warned nearby residents to expect more explosions at the site as their work continues.
“Controlled detonations will be conducted periodically at the site to safely dispose of unstable or hazardous materials,” the Humphreys County EMA said in a Facebook post.
Officials said nearby residents may hear or feel those detonations as they occur. Local officials said they will give residents at least a 30-minute heads up through social media.
‘It’s gone’: Drone footage shows catastrophic blast site
Newly released drone footage shows nothing but rubble and soot at the former site of an Accurate Energetic Systems facility.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said Friday that the devastation was startling.
“Can I describe the building? There’s nothing to describe, it’s gone,” he said. “It’s the most devastating scene that I’ve seen in my career.”
Accurate Energetic Systems called the blast “a tragic accident.” Authorities are still investigating the cause of the destruction.
High schools hold moment of silence, support victims
After Friday’s catastrophe, residents found a moment to come together.
McEwen High School had its football game against Collinwood after Friday morning’s explosion. Right before kickoff, the school observed a moment of silence to honor and remember those affected by the tragic loss.
“In times like these, we find strength in coming together,” McEwen High School said.
McEwen High School said Friday night’s game wasn’t just about football.
“It’s about standing together, supporting each other and remembering that our community’s greatest strength is our care and love for one another,” McEwen High School said.
“Whether that’s donating to a local charity, supporting a family impacted by this tragedy or simply showing kindness to those around you,” McEwen High School said.
“We are deeply proud of Principal Crowell (WCHS) and Principal Wallace (MHS) for leading with empathy, compassion, and heart,” the district director of schools said. “Our students continue to inspire us. Even in the face of heartbreak, they remind us what it means to be a community that cares—one that refuses to give up, even when it hurts.”
Residents support each other in grief
Counseling services will be available to Humphreys County Schools students and staff starting Monday after a tragic explosion claimed the lives of 16 people.
The Humphreys County sheriff announced Saturday evening that the 16 people still unaccounted for following the blast at Accurate Energetic Systems have been confirmed deceased.
“As a community, we are heartbroken by the devastating plant explosion that occurred on Friday, October 10. Our hearts are with every person and family touched by this tragedy,” a Facebook post from the district said. “We know many in our school family have been directly affected, and we are holding you close during this unimaginable time.”
The district said it is aware that those who were missing after the explosion were members of the community — whether as Humphreys County graduates or loved ones of students and staff.
“Beginning Monday, our schools will have a range of supports available for students and staff. School counselors, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Liaisons, and Centerstone therapists will be on-site to provide care and comfort,“ the district post said. ”Whether students or staff need a quiet space to talk, help processing emotions, or guidance on how to support others, these professionals are here to listen and help.”
The district said that residents can also find support outside of school hours at the following locations:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
- Mobile Crisis Helpline: 1-855-CRISIS-1 (1-855-274-7471)
A local business owner also took action Friday to try to support families affected by the tragic explosion.
In response to the unimaginable loss, Jon Anderson, owner of Bucksnort Trout Ranch,organized fundraising efforts across the region. He turned out to three different farmers markets Saturday to encourage the community to support its own.
“We’re going to be setting up a opportunity for folks to donate through Venmo to the families of the victims,” Anderson said.
The fundraising initiative aims to help offset costs that families may face in the wake of their loss. Anderson is using his business platform at farmers markets across the Midstate to raise money for those impacted by the explosion.
Anderson emphasized the significant impact the tragedy will have on the local community.
“[AES is] a major player out here, and it is going to be devastating to the local community in a lot of ways,” he said.
For those unable to attend the farmers markets, community members are asking for continued prayers for the families in need during this difficult time.
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Previous story: MCEWEN, TN (story courtesy of WVLT / WSMV) – Emergency crews are searching for any possible survivors following a massive explosion at a Tennessee explosives processing facility in Hickman County on Friday.
Authorities confirmed multiple people are dead after the blast leveled the Accurate Energetic Systems facility near Bucksnort. At least 19 other people were initially reported missing, as of Friday afternoon.
However, that numbered was lowered to 16 after authorities made contact with some people who had not been at the plant at the time of the explosion.
This is not the first time a deadly explosion has happened at the rural facility. In April 2014, one man was killed and four others were injured during an explosion and fire at the plant.
Deadly explosion at AES facility in 2014
The 2014 incident occurred at the back of the building, causing extensive damage. Kathryn Edwards told WSMV her husband, Rodney, went off to work that morning just like normal, and she never thought he wouldn’t return home.
“He told me he loved me and I said, ‘I love you too. Have a great day, baby. I hope you have a great day,’” Edwards said in the 2014 interview. “He worked seven days a week. Would go in any time he was called — morning, noon or night.”
The explosion happened in an area where shotgun ammunition was stored, the Humphreys County Sheriff said at the time. The explosion sparked two fires, one at the plant and another outside of the building.
At the time of the last deadly incident, the sheriff said several companies operated on the property owned by Accurate Energetic Systems and that the explosion happened in an area operated by Rio Ammunition.
However, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development clarified Saturday afternoon that Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) investigated the 2014 incident. Spokesperson Chris Cannon said that the “2014 incident involved a different company, American Sporting Supplies, which was leasing a building at the site at that time. American Sporting Supplies no longer operates in McEwen, and Accurate Energetic Systems is not connected to the 2014 incident.”
Joey Clark was one of the people flown to the hospital with severe injuries from the 2014 blast. He told WSMV the power of the explosion pushed him 40 ft. from where he was standing working with Edwards.
Clark lost his left eye and two fingers in the explosion that forced him to spend weeks recovering at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He’s still fully disabled.
“I was walking in the door where it flamed up,” Clarks said when getting discharged from the hospital in 2014. “I stopped to go get Rodney. I was going to turn around. I thought he was behind me. That stop, thinking about him, probably saved my life.”
Clark has several friends who still work at the facility and he said Friday has been extremely emotional trying to figure out if they were safe. After hours of waiting, he was not sure what happened to them.
State officials investigated safety violations in 2019
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Tennessee OSHA (TOSHA) responded to the scene on Friday to investigate, spokesperson Chris Cannon said.
A review of TOSHA records shows the agency last inspected the AES facility in McEwen in April 2019. That was part of an investigation into multiple “serious” citations at the facility that resulted in the company paying multiple fines.
WSMV reviewed the 2019 citations and found safety violations, including workers potentially being exposed to dangerous chemicals.
The AES website said the company was established in 1980 for “the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of high-quality energetic products utilized in both defense and commercial markets.”
Company certified for explosive production
The 1,300 acre site was certified in August 2024 by NSF-ISR for meeting international standards for the “design, development and manufacture of high explosive and specialty products.”
The certification was set to expire in 2027. A spokesperson for NSF-ISR did not respond to WSMV’s questions on Friday about their investigation process after a deadly explosion like this.
In 2020, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced an AES expansion project, including a full lab and test range. The expansion was set to create 80 jobs at the facility in Humphreys and Hickman counties.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that the Hickman County facility processes explosives, per TEMA. Accurate Energetic Systems manufactures, handles and stores explosives, according to its website.
