Authorities provide more information on Tennessee plant explosion

McEWEN, Tenn. — We have continuing coverage following a mass causality after an explosion at a Tennessee plant.

It’s been two weeks since a tragic explosion killed over a dozen employees at Accurate Energetic Systems. This unexpected tragedy leaves many families heartbroken navigating their next steps forward.

Authorities held a press conference Friday for updates on the removal of remaining explosives, recovery of human remains, and collecting evidence for further investigation as to the cause of the explosion.

The explosion occurred in building 602 which was a 15,000 square foot building known primarily to make various types of cast boosters that are used in the commercial mining industry.

“During the investigation it was determined that approximately 24,000  to 28,000 pounds of high explosives detonated  during the explosion on October 10. ATF explosives disposal operations we conducted throughout this investigation with nearly a thousand pounds of  undetonated  explosives that were recovered on site being safely disposed,” said Jamey Vanvliet, SAC-ATF.

While authorities know where the explosion started, there’s still no definite cause as the investigation remains ongoing.

“The initial explosion occurs in those production kettles. We believe in addition to that there was a sympathetic detonation of the other explosive material on that main  floor,” said Vanvliet.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis, it could take weeks, if not months, to uncover the real cause of this explosion that stretches across over 500 acres this mass casualty took the lives of 16 souls.

“They’ve got everything–recordings, radio, traffic and all of that. The number of calls that day was just enormous,” said David Rausch, TBI director.

According the ATF National Response Team, authorities documented all items of evidentiary value utilizing total station, GPS, 3d scanning, unmanned aerial systems, and 360 degree photography.

More than 80 members of ATF’s national response team and special agents from the  Louisville and Nashville field divisions searching for explosives, hazards, victims, and explosive manufacturing equipment.

“At this point 14 of the 16 victims have been identified and that is through the process of the collection of all possible evidence and materials of those remains of those who perished,” said Sheriff Davis.

Under the Safe Explosives Act, licensed explosive operators are required to be inspected every three years which is routine.

When the ATF agent was asked if Accurate Energetic Systems performed up to date assessments comments were denied for prior inspection history.

The examination of evidence collected including documentation, recordings, interviews, video, and evidence from the site will continue at the ATF lab.

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