No survivors in Tennessee explosives factory blast, officials say | Tennessee

There were no survivors in an explosion that destroyed part of an explosives factory in rural Tennessee, authorities said Saturday.

Families of 18 waited anxiously Saturday as loved ones were feared dead since explosions ripped through the facility near McEwen in western Tennessee early Friday. The death toll was initially thought to be 19 people, but this figure was later revised.

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis spoke to the public and media early Saturday afternoon and announced that authorities presumed everyone who was inside the building that exploded the day before was dead.

The incident occurred at Accurate Energetic Systems near the town of Bucksnort, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville.

Davis said the tragedy was more devastating than expected. In the close-knit community, he and other members of law enforcement and many in the community know people who were victims of the disaster.

The cause of the explosion is being investigated.

Associated Press contributed reporting