Thursday, October 1, 2026
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McEwen, TN (WNN) - An explosion at a munitions plant near McEwen, Tennessee, early Friday morning, Oct 10th, 2025, left several injured and 19 people unaccounted for. It was feared they might not have survived. The explosion occurred around 7:45 am CDT at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant. The site produces explosives and demolition charges for the military and the domestic blasting industry. The plant is in a rural wooded area just off Interstate 40, about 60 miles west of Nashville. Its footprint straddles Humphreys and Hickman counties. The powerful explosion that ripped through the building could be felt up to 15 miles away. A plume of smoke was thick enough to be picked up on weather radar in Nashville. The devastation looked apocalyptic with burned-out shells of cars and twisted metal where the building once stood. During a press conference, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, fighting back tears, said, “We have 19 souls we are still looking for.” When asked to describe the building and the scene of the explosion, he replied, “There’s nothing to describe, it’s gone. It’s the most devastating scene that I’ve seen in my career. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, in a statement Friday, urged everyone to “join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident.”
A half-mile square area of fiery, smoking debris was the only thing left where the plant once stood. The chemicals used in the munitions were determined not to pose any threat to nearby residents. Officials did go on to warn that the smoldering debris could still trigger some more smaller explosions. This will delay any attempts to reach the center of the explosion. The Sheriff said the investigation would continue throughout the night as they searched for any survivors. It was reported that debris was thrown as far as a half mile away from the site, and spotty cell service is making it difficult to communicate as the search continues.
Multiple people were taken to the hospital to be treated; no update on the extent of their injuries. Three people entered Tri-Star Health as walk-ins and were later released after being treated for mild injuries. Sheriff Davis stated earlier in the afternoon that there were fatalities, but no official number would be given until the area is thoroughly searched and the family is notified. No cause has been determined yet, and it will take some time to decide.
This tragedy has shaken residents of the small, tight-knit community. Some of the responding officers have personal connections to some of the missing and those affected. Friends and family of the 19 missing were anxious for any news. Witnesses nearby said people waiting for her about her family were called inside a building late in the afternoon, presumably for an update. At least one person was seen crying as they exited.
Several organizations, including the F.B.I. and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are aiding the ongoing investigation. As with any continuing investigation, details could change, and it will be a time-consuming search and investigation.
Update 10-13-2025: It has been confirmed that 16 people died in the explosion, according to the local Humphreys County Sheriff's Department, after investigating that some people were not on site that day. The cause of the blast has yet to be determined.
