Powerful explosion at a military factory in the US, fatalities and missing persons reported

(Patria) - Several people have died, and more are considered missing after a powerful explosion that rocked a military explosives manufacturing facility in Tennessee today.

The detonation shook nearby homes and triggered a series of smaller explosions, local officials confirmed, CNN reported.

The explosion occurred around 7:45 AM local time, and Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis described it as devastating at a press conference.

He added that emergency services had managed to secure the wider area of the accident by late morning.

- We currently have several people who are missing. We can confirm that we also have some who have passed away - Davis stated.

The BBC reported that at least nineteen people are missing.

The facility belongs to Accurate Energetic Systems, LLC, and is located on the border of Hickman and Humphreys counties, approximately an hour's drive southwest of Nashville.

A large number of emergency services have responded to the scene and are working to assess the damage and extinguish the fire. Due to the risk of secondary explosions, rescuers are currently keeping a safe distance from the epicenter.

Residents living near the factory described feeling a violent impact.

- I thought the house collapsed with me inside. I live very close to the factory, and about 30 seconds after I woke up, I realized what had happened - Gentry Stover told The Associated Press.

Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in the production of military explosives.

According to their Facebook page, they produce various high-explosive compounds and specialty products for the US Department of Defense and industrial markets.

The Hickman County Sheriff's Office has urged citizens to avoid the accident area so that emergency services can carry out their work unimpeded.