What Happened in Hickman County, TN? Deadly Explosives Plant Blast Rocks Community

A powerful explosion ripped through a military explosives facility in Hickman County, Tennessee, on Friday morning, killing multiple people and leaving several others missing. The blast occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, an explosives manufacturing plant near Bucksnort, around 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The explosion sent debris flying, damaged vehicles, and shook homes miles away.

Authorities confirmed the explosion just after 7:45 a.m. local time on October 10, 2025. Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described the situation as a “very devastating blast” and said emergency crews are still searching for missing workers. He confirmed that “some are deceased” but did not release specific numbers as families are being notified.

Explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems: What We Know So Far

The explosion occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, a facility specializing in the manufacture, handling, and storage of explosives for military, aerospace, and commercial use. The company operates on a sprawling 1,300-acre site on the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties.

Emergency crews initially struggled to enter the site due to ongoing secondary detonations, according to Hickman County Advanced EMT David Stewart. Authorities warned that small explosions could continue as materials inside the plant remain unstable. The cause of the blast has not yet been determined, and investigators say the inquiry could take days.

Video footage from the scene showed charred debris scattered across the facility grounds and several damaged vehicles in the parking area. Residents miles away reported feeling the explosion shake their homes. One local resident, Gentry Stover, said he initially thought his house had collapsed. “I live very close to Accurate, and about 30 seconds after I woke up, I realized it had to have been that,” he said.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is on-site, along with local sheriff’s offices and federal partners. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are expected to assist in the investigation once the site is secure.

This is not the first incident at the facility. A decade ago, a separate explosion at the same plant killed one worker and injured three others. Officials say Accurate Energetic Systems is cooperating fully with law enforcement and investigators as they work to determine what caused Friday’s deadly blast.

Community Reels as Search Efforts Continue

The explosion has left the small communities of Hickman and Humphreys counties in shock. Families of workers gathered near the site on Friday, waiting for updates as authorities conducted search-and-rescue operations. Officials urged the public to stay away from the area to allow emergency personnel to continue their work.

Investigators will now focus on mapping the blast pattern, collecting debris evidence, and examining the plant’s safety procedures to determine the root cause. The results of that investigation could lead to changes in safety regulations or enforcement actions against the facility if violations are found.

In short: What happened in Hickman County, TN, was a deadly industrial explosion at a military explosives plant, killing multiple people and leaving others missing. The cause remains unknown, and a full investigation is underway.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Where did the explosion happen?

It occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems, a military explosives manufacturing facility near Bucksnort on the Hickman–Humphreys county line.

Q2: How many people are missing?

Authorities have not released a confirmed number. Several people are unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing.

Q3: What time did the explosion occur?

The blast was reported around 7:45 a.m. local time on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Q4: What caused the explosion?

The cause is not yet known. Investigators say it could take several days to determine what triggered the blast.

Q5: Who is investigating the incident?

Local authorities, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, ATF, and OSHA are all involved in the investigation.