A massive blast at a military explosives facility in Tennessee has left several dead and others missing, officials say
At least 19 people are unaccounted for following the explosion, according to a local affiliate of CBS News, with families waiting to hear news about their loved ones
Aerial video from the scene in Bucksnort, south-west of Nashville, shows charred debris, smouldering vehicles and little remaining of the facility
The explosion just before 08:00 local time was heard from miles away including in neighbouring counties
There is a huge emergency response at the scene, with one first responder telling the Associated Press they could not enter the site initially due to continuing detonations
The factory belongs to Accurate Energetic Systems, which specialises in the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of explosives
An update from local authorities about the explosives facility blast is expected shortly.
We'll bring you all the key points as soon as it starts. You can also Watch live at the top of the page.
Here's an update from the local electricity provider.
"We are working with emergency officials to restore electric and broadband service to our members as safely as possible," Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative says in a statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted. We ask everyone to avoid the area and allow first responders to work."
Facilities like the one in Tennessee are highly regulated, says John DeVito, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Those who work there are highly trained in safety protocol that spans the federal, state and local level, but "mistakes do happen", he says.
"This is a terrible incident but we will get to the bottom of it," he says. "We will find survivors."
Special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are at the scene of the blast, according to a statement from its field office in Nashville.
"We are working with our state local and federal partners to investigate," the statement says.
By Richard Irvine-Brown
We have been looking at the site of the explosion and the area around it to learn what we can.
Helicopter footage supplied by WTVF matches a clearing to the west of the Accurate Energetic Systems site.
Satellite images show a building at this clearing, now completely gone, but the trees, road layout and adjacent car park are all a match from the videos we have seen.
Further images used by local media show a gateway to the site under guard, 1 mile (1.7km) southeast of the clearing.
The clearing is about 0.6 mile from the nearest road, Tennessee State Route 230, itself about 18.6 miles from Dickson, the nearest major town.
A couple more pictures are coming in now from the scene of the blast.
Highway Patrol has blocked off access to the site of Accurate Energetic Systems - the facility where the explosion happened - and local media are setting up nearby.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat we know
What we don't know
We can now bring you a map showing where the explosion took place.
The mayor of Hickman County says there are still a lot of questions to be answered after the explosion.
Speaking to CNN a few minutes ago, Mayor Jim Bates says the cause is still unclear, but the impacts on the community will be wide-reaching.
"It's pretty devastating to see this."
He also says he's heading to the site now.
Apart from one "small ammunition explosion" in 2014, the facility has had no safety issues, he says.
As for concerns about hazardous materials in the air or the risk of secondary explosions, Bates says he's not aware of any.
"There's a lot of question," he says, stressing that they will be answered in an investigation.
More now from Grey Collier, from Humphreys County emergency management.
She says that "all agencies are responding now". This includes members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Homeland Security.
Collier also describes the investigation as a "joint operation" between Humphreys County and Hickman County, since the facility that exploded sits on the county line.
Although the exact number of missing and dead is still unknown, there are both "some casualties and some missing", Humphreys County emergency management team spokesperson Grey Collier tells the BBC.
"The families are there waiting at the main office to hear news, to find out about their loved ones," she says.
She adds that officials are currently focused on notifying those "who obviously know their families went to work but now don't know what's going on".
Nick Beake
BBC Verify Correspondent
According to the company’s website, external, Accurate Energetic Systems was set up 45 years ago.
Among its listed specialisms are the "creation of high-grade explosives for demolition" as well as the production of claymore mines - anti-personnel devices used by armies.
The company also makes Explosive Munitions Pellets, which it says can be used for military and aerospace use.
Its facility in Bucksnort, Tennessee, is said to house "state of the art" facilities for explosives testing.
The website outlines a commitment to excellence, including in health and safety, to its operation.
"Trusted precision. For every mission" is one of their slogans.
Some new pictures are coming in now from the scene of the blast.
Huge plumes of thick grey smoke can be seen over the site, with charred and burnt-out cars and scattered debris covering the ground.
Image source, WTVF
Image source, WTVF
Image source, WTVFTennessee congressman Scott DesJarlais has called for prayers "for the employees and the families and friends of those at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant in Hickman County".
"Please also pray for all of the first responders on the scene," he adds in the statement on X.
Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis says there were several small explosions after the first major blast, according to CBS News, the BBC's US partners.
"We do have several people at this time unaccounted for. We are trying to be mindful of families and that situation," Davis says. "We do have some that are deceased."
Davis adds that there will be a "very big investigation".
Another official in neighbouring Hickman County tells the Associated Press news agency the explosion hampered initial rescue efforts.
Image source, APTNFootage from the scene of the explosion, posted on social media by local TV station NewsChannel 5, external, shows embers flickering next to cars burned to a crisp.
Charred pieces of metal, which appear to be beams from the facility's infrastructure, are scattered across the dirt in twisted, warped piles.
Plumes of smoke cloud the camera's view.
A video circulating on social media, which appears to be from a doorbell camera, captures loud bangs in the background.
A nearby resident tells our US partner CBS News they were woken up by the sound of a loud blast.
Gentry Stover, who lives close to Accurate Energetic Systems where the explosion happened, says: "I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it."
The explosion at an Accurate Energetic Systems factory on Friday morning occurred in McEwen, Tennessee.
According to its website, the company provides solutions for energetics products serving the defence, aerospace and demolition, and is located roughly 56 miles (90km) away from the much more populous Nashville.
The explosion, about an hour south of Nashville, was confirmed by the Hickman County Sheriff's Office.
"We can confirm there has been an explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in the Bucksnort area," the sheriff's office said.
"Emergency services are currently on the scene working to address the situation."
There are reports of a huge blast at a military explosives facility in Tennessee.
Local media reports at least 19 people are unaccounted for.
This is breaking news, stick with us for more updates shortly.