No survivors from blast at Tennessee explosives site

A DEADLY explosion at an ammunition and explosives processing facility in Tennessee, US has claimed 16 lives.

All casualties occurred within the facility, which is run by privately owned company Accurate Energetic Systems (AES), a developer of products for military and commercial demolition sectors.

Drone footage released by officials reveals the site, which sits on the Hickman-Humphreys county line, was completely destroyed by the blast, leaving behind only charred debris and mangled vehicles.

The cause of the explosion, which occurred on Friday morning, is still under investigation but the Tennessee State Government’s Department of Military has confirmed that there is no known public health and safety threat as a result.

Hazardous material

AES produces a range of explosive products, including the manufacture of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and products containing it.

According to Humphrey’s County Emergency Management Agency, controlled detonations at the site occurred on Saturday and Sunday so the response team could dispose of any unstable and hazardous material safely.

Residents were advised to avoid the area to allow for emergency services to secure the site, and to contact their local sheriff’s office if they found debris which may have originated from the blast.

Current situation

The state government says response operations are continuing “slowly and methodically”, warning residents of black smoke due to the controlled detonations.

AES has established a Family Assistance Center to support families of victims from the blast, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the deployment of Rapid DNA processes to identify the victims.

An update from the state government’s Department of Military is expected at 2pm CT today.