Authorities have confirmed that all 18 people reported missing after an explosion at a military ammunition factory in Hickman County, Tennessee, are dead. The confirmation came nearly twenty-four hours after the blast, which completely destroyed the facility operated by Accurate Energetic Systems.
“The time has come to assume that all the people inside the building have died,” said County Sheriff Chris Davis on Saturday morning, visibly emotional as he addressed reporters. “More than 300 operators have searched almost every part of the facility and found no survivors. It is a huge loss for our communities.”
The rescue effort has now become a recovery operation. Investigators will use DNA tests to identify the victims. The explosion occurred early on Friday at the company’s plant in a wooded area between Hickman and Humphreys counties, around 90 kilometres south-west of Nashville.
On Friday, Sheriff Davis stated that the factory “had disappeared” after the blast. Aerial images showed a flattened site, with thick clouds of smoke visible from many kilometres away. Secondary explosions delayed the arrival of emergency teams, according to David Stewart, a medical technician in Hickman County.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are examining the cause of the explosion. Officials have said that the investigation may take several weeks.
Accurate Energetic Systems issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and gratitude towards emergency workers but gave no explanation for the cause. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, co-workers and community members affected by this incident,” the company said.
Founded in 1980, Accurate Energetic Systems produces and stores explosives for the military, aerospace and commercial demolition sectors. Its headquarters contains eight production buildings and a quality-testing laboratory. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosion occurred in production building number six.
This is not the first fatal incident at the site. In 2014, a smaller explosion at the same facility killed one person and injured three others, according to local media reports.