A massive explosion destroyed a building at an explosives facility in Tennessee on October 10. The authorities said it was a " mass explosion" that was so serious that it shook houses several kilometers away from the scene.
The blast occurred at around 7:45 a.m. on October 10, local time at Accurate Energetic systems, a military explosives and demolition plant, leaving black debris and damaged vehicles over a large area.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said that someone was killed but did not want to announce the number of dead but only emphasized that 19 people were missing.
Mr. Davis described the aftermath of the explosion as "the most brutal scene I have ever seen in my career."
Davis added that investigators from many agencies have provided assistance but have yet to determine the cause of the explosion.
The blast shook nearby homes and caused smaller explosions, local officials said.
Accurate Energetic systems is about 1 hour drive from Nashville, Tennessee, at the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties.
Several law enforcement forces from across the state of Tennessee have been deployed to assist in the investigation. These personnel include federal agents and the Tennessee Expressway Patrol Special Forces Unit, among many other agencies.
Hickman District leader Jimates said the plant had about 80 employees, but it was unclear how many people were in the building when the blast occurred. A building at the scene was completely destroyed.
Accurate Energetic systems specializes in the production of military explosives, according to the Humphreys County Sheriff's Office. The company's Facebook page said that the company produces "various types of powerful explosives and specialty products for the US Department of Defense and the US industrial market.
In April 2014, 1 person died and 4 others were injured in an explosion at the plant. The explosion, which occurred behind the ammunition storage building, caused severe damage.
At the time, authorities said several companies were operating on the Accurate Energetic systems facility and the blast occurred in an area managed by Rio Ammunition.
Last month, the US Department of Defense awarded Accurate Energetic systems a nearly $120 million contract to buy TNT.
